Texas Gardening: Texas Native Plant Pictures ( Grasses,Ornamental & Others), 1 by htop

htop wrote:
Giant Reed, Spanish Cane, Reed Grass (Arundo donax), Poaceae Family, naturalized, perennial

It is a perennial grass that can grow to over 20 feet tall. Giant reed propers in well drained soils where abundant moisture is available such as streams, ditches and riverbanks and grows in many soil types from heavy clays to loose sands. It has fleshy, creeping rootstocks which form compact masses. Its tough, fibrous roots penetrate deeply into the soil. Giant reed root and stem fragments can float for miles and may take root and initiate new infestations. It has a rapid growth rate which makes it possible for it to quickly invade new areas forming pure stands. The 1-2 inches wide and 12 inches long leaves are elongated. The flowers appear on 2-foot long, dense, plume-like panicles during August and September. I would not recommend planting giant reed grass as an ornamental plant. It took over a large portion of our yard when I was a child and took years and years to eradicate.

For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/75416/index.html