reedlike

Reedlike is an adjective used to describe something that resembles a reed in form, function, or material. It connotes slender, upright, and often hollow stems, giving a light, flexible, and tall appearance. The term is formed from the noun reed and the suffix -like.

In botany and horticulture, reedlike describes plants with a habitat and growth habit similar to true reeds: tall, slender, and upright with hollow stems. It is commonly applied to wetland grasses such as those in the reed family, though the term is descriptive rather than taxonomic.

In crafts, architecture, and design, reedlike materials or textures describe surfaces or constructions that mimic the appearance or strength of reed stalks—cane, bamboo, and other slender culms may be described as reedlike; used for thatching, weaving, and decorative patterns. The term is also used to describe structural elements with slender, cylindrical profiles.

Etymology: from reed + -like; widely used in descriptive writing, with no formal taxonomic status.