Arundinaria gigantea (Walter) Muhl.

Giant Cane; River Cane; Large Cane

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

River Cane is a native bamboo in the Grass family (Poaceae). It occurs throughout the state. River Cane occurs in low hardwood forests and on the banks of streams and rivers. It grows from 6-20 feet in height. It is colonial from woody rhizomes without continuous air canals. The culms (stems) are erect, terete, woody, green or tan in color, with hollow internodes. Leaves are alternate, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, evergreen or deciduous, glabrous or nearly so, with numerous cross-veins. The leaf sheaths are persistent and fimbriate. Flowers are produced in spikelets of 8-12 arranged in panicles. Flowering is sporadic, and plants often die after flowering. The fruit is a grain. River Cane once formed extensive stands known as “canebreaks”. Canebreaks have declined due to grazing by cattle, conversion of floodplains into fields, and fire suppression. Canebreaks have been documented to provide food and cover for over 70 species of wildlife. River Cane is a larval food plant for several species of butterflies and moths including the Southern Pearly Eye (Enodia portlandia), Creole Pearly Eye (Enodia creola), Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes Aesculapius), Reversed Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes reversa), and Carolina Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes Carolina). The hollow stems had many uses such as being split and woven into baskets or mats, used for fishing poles and spears, and in construction. Due to its dense network of rhizomes, River Cane is sometimes planted for erosion control and stream bank stabilization.— A. Diamond.

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Native FACW (NWPL)

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