Stem

Up to 25 ft. tall and 1.5 in. thick; semi-woody, inflexible and hollow except at the nodes; branching usually does not occur until the second year of growth

Leaves

Alternate; blade is flat, less than 3 ft. long and 1-3 in. wide; edges (margins) are rough textured
Leaf base is lobed, clasps the stem and is fringed with long hairs

Flower

Plume-like with numerous fine branches; 1-2 ft. long and light-brown to purple; does NOT produce viable seed

Photo of giant reed plant with hairy ends

Root

Creeping rhizomes

Photo of giant reed plants growing on the side of a road.

Photo of Giant reed infestation

Other

Grows best in moist soils; known to occur in Churchill, Clark, Mineral, Nye and Washoe counties
Perennial; reproduces by rhizomes and stem fragments
Resembles bamboo; historically planted to reduce erosion and sometimes planted today as an ornamental

Control

Hand removal of small populations can be effective; mowing and tillage are NOT recommended as they produce root and stem fragments that generate new plants
Apply glyphosate, imazapyr or triclopyr after seedhead formation in late summer or fall to foliage or cut stump; treat regrowth in spring or summer of the following year

Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Giant reed, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


Giant Reed This fact sheet contains extensive information on Giant reed by discussing the features, possible actions, and benefits to controlling giant reed. Johnson, W. and Strom, S. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-06-21

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Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Giant reed