Arundinaria tecta (Walter) Muhl.

Switch Cane; Small Cane

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Switch Cane is a native bamboo in the Grass family (Poaceae). It occurs primarily on the Coastal Plain, and is most common in the southern third of the state. Switch Cane occurs in mesic hardwood forests, on slopes, in ravines, in pine flatwoods, and along small streams and seeps. It grows from 1-6 feet in height. It is colonial from woody rhizomes with 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 tardily deciduous, pubescent or glabrous above, pubescent below, with numerous cross-veins. Plants often have a “fan” of 9-12 closely spaced leaves at the top of an otherwise bare stem. The leaf sheaths are persistent and fimbriate. Flowers are produced in spikelets of 5-10 arranged in panicles. Flowering is stimulated by fire. The fruit is a grain. Switch Cane can form extensive stands known as “canebreaks”. These areas provide food and cover for many species of wildlife. Switch 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 can be split and woven into baskets or mats. Due to its dense network of rhizomes, Switch Cane is sometimes planted for erosion control and stream bank stabilization.—A. Diamond.

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Native

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