of the rhizomes and above- PTIONS all O ACTORS F EY Resprouts from roots and 2-noded stem frag- and 2-noded stem roots from Resprouts left soil. inments moist as 10 feet. as deep can reach Roots growth. Rapid only removed can be successfully reed Giant by completely killing the root system, either with or herbi- removal physical thorough by cide. be effective can both cutting and Pulling techniques if ground vegetation are removed. are vegetation ground Herbicides oftenare applied as a follow-up to pulling or digging, rhi- the thoroughly more the but REATMENT K u u u T u WEED WORKERS’ HANDBOOK WEED WORKERS’ Giant reed grows up to 30 feet tall.The 30 feet to up grows reed leaves Giant ESCRIPTION EPRODUCTION MPACT I riparian California’s is threatening reed Giant species, native outcompeting by ecosystems such as willows, for water. rapid Its growth and high water uptake allow it to outcompete native monocultural and form stands. vegetation deter plant in the contained alkaloids Noxious feeding.wildlife from of Stands and dryleaves flammable. are canes The inflorescence is cream to yellowish brown, yellowish to cream is inflorescence The September in the to March from and appears ofform 2 as long as upright, plumes feathery feet. fertile seed in produce not does reed Giant California.Instead,it vegetatively,by reproduces rhizomes.underground Riparian flooding dis- oflodges clumps and transports it reed giant downstream, where it can root from broken and rhizomes. nodes stem stim- to appears Fire growth. new ulate R are alternate,up to 1 foot long with a tapered tip, with tapered a alternate,up long are 1 foot to slender, smooth, and serrated with coarsely but margins. a hairy and have gray-green are They base. the tuft at out, straight point leaves The droop, folded, lie or of base the at and is a each hairy tuft. dry, leaves the As turn they pale papyrus.The like hol- brown stalks are hardy low, in diameter, 1 inch about resemble and bamboo canes. and tough are roots The knotty, and form fibrous mats spreading that penetrate deep into the soil. D typically grass that is a tall perennial reed Giant disturbed sites,on stands dense forms sand areas, wetlands. dunes, and riparian Also known as arundo grass, arundo as known Also bamboo reed donax Arundo Grass Family (Poaceae) GIANT REED GIANT

PERENNIAL GRASSES 92 zomes are removed, the less follow-up herbi- DISPOSAL cide will be needed. Both treated and non-treated stems can be left u Pull or dig plants,from seedlings to 6 feet tall, on-site to decompose,although they break down ideally after heavy rains loosen the soil. It is very slowly.If left to compost, the essential point important to pull up and remove the roots. to remember is to keep the debris well away from u Cut the stems of larger plants with a chainsaw water. For stems that have not been chemically or brushcutter, and dig up the roots with a treated and in areas where it is feasible, the shovel, pickax, or Swedish brush ax. Alterna- debris can be burned. Otherwise, the canes can tively, use heavy equipment, such as an be chipped into very small pieces for mulching. excavator. The stems are easier to chip when dry, and you will need a heavy-duty chipper to handle the u Cut the stems as close to the ground as possi- ble in May, and cover the clump with a very plant’s tough fibers.Chipped material can be dis- thick tarp or with several tarps for an entire posed of either in green waste containers, or growing season. This should prevent light spread out to dry and possibly sprayed with her- from reaching the plant (reducing its ability to bicide if any regrowth occurs from chipped photosynthesize), and keep resprouts from debris. Stem pieces that have no nodes or only tearing the tarp. The lack of light will eventu- one node won’t reproduce. ally deplete the plant’s energy reserves and it INTERESTING FACTS will die back. Thought to originate from the Indian subconti- u Foliar spray. Some practitioners have sprayed nent, giant reed was introduced to California a 2–5 percent dilution of glyphosate onto the from the Mediterranean in the 1820s for roofing leaves after the plant has flowered but before material and erosion control along drainage summer dormancy. ditches. It has been cultivated on other conti- u Cut and treat. As an alternative to foliar nents for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians spraying, a stronger concentration of glypho- wrapped their dead in the leaves.The canes con- sate can be applied to stems immediately after tain silica, perhaps the reason for their cutting. Make sure that where necessary, you durability, and have been used to make fishing choose an herbicide product suitable for use rods,walking sticks,and paper.Giant reed is still near water. used to make reeds for woodwind instruments. PERENNIAL GRASSES It continues to be planted for ornamental pur- poses and erosion control.

Notes

THE PLANTS: HOW TO REMOVE BAY AREA WEEDS 93