Arundo donax

Arundo donax_Giant reed_ JM Di Tomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Common names: giant reed

Arundo donax (giant reed) is a tall perennial grass (family Poaceae) that typically forms dense stands on disturbed sites, sand dunes, riparian areas, and wetlands. It has invaded central and coastal Southern California river valleys, central California river valleys in San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Sacramento and San Joaquin River valleys and is also increasing in the North Coast region. Arundo donax is threatening California’s riparian ecosystems by outcompeting native species, such as willows, reducing the nesting and foraging value of habitat, changing streamflow, and utilizing more water than native vegetation. It is native to northern Africa and western and central Asia.

Cal-IPC Rating: High?

CDFA Rating: -*?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Species ID Card

Invasive Species ID Card - To support field identification of early detection species, Cal-IPC has designed a set of Species ID cards that can be downloaded, printed double-sided, and trimmed to size.

Special Reports