NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Arundinaria gigantea
Giant Cane, River Cane, Switchcane
Scientific Name: |
Arundinaria gigantea |
---|---|
Genus: |
Arundinaria |
Species Epithet: |
gigantea |
Common Name: |
Giant Cane, River Cane, Switchcane |
Plant Type |
Grass/Sedge/Rush |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Poaceae (Grass Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Invasive Status: |
(*Key) |
Size: |
6-12 ft., 12-36 ft. |
Light: |
Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Dry, Moist, Wet |
Bloom Time: |
April, May, June, July |
Growing Area: |
Mountains, Piedmont |
Habitat Description: |
Swamps and floodplains. Common in NC mountains, uncommon in piedmont, according to Weakley (2015). USDA PLANTS shows it in the NC sandhills and coastal plain as well. |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Alternate |
Leaf Retention: |
Evergreen |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Simple |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
Important for Wildlife |
Landscape Value: |
Not Recommended for home landscapes |
State Rank: |
S5: Secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
Notes: |
Flowers rarely, supposedly only every 40 to 50 years. Can form large stands ("canebrakes"). Highly flammable. |
Bettina Darveaux |
|
Links: |
NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/arundinaria-gigantea/ Vascular Plants of NC: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/species_account.php 700 Bird-friendly Plants for NC: https://nc.audubon.org/700 |
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