GIANT REED

(Arundo donax), tall perennial grass of the family Poaceae, native to Europe and introduced into southeastern North America as an ornamental. Giant reed is 1.8 to 7 m (about 6 to 23 feet) tall and grows in dense clumps. The flat leaves, often 60 cm (2 feet) long and about 7.5 cm (3 inches) wide, are used to make mats. The woody, tubelike stems of giant reed have been used in manufacturing flutes and organ pipes and are the source of reeds for woodwind instruments. The plant also has been used for erosion control and in highway beautification programs.