Arundo is a small genus of stout, perennial grasses belonging to the family Poaceae (order Poales). Native to southern Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia as far east as Japan, these robust reed-like plants typically reach 3–6 metres in height, with some specimens recorded at up to 10 metres. Their broad, arching leaves measure 30–60 cm in length and 3–6 cm in width, giving the plants a distinctly bamboo-like appearance.
The genus is best known for Arundo donax (Giant cane or Spanish cane), native to the south and east Mediterranean region and extending to India, which has been widely introduced across warmer parts of the world and is considered invasive in many regions. Other members include Arundo plinii (Pliny's reed), found in Greece, Italy, Albania, and Croatia, and Arundo micrantha, distributed across the Mediterranean basin.
Historically, Arundo was a much larger genus encompassing over 200 species now redistributed into other genera such as Phragmites, Cortaderia, Calamagrostis, and numerous others as taxonomic understanding of the grass family has evolved.
Etymology
The name Arundo is the classical Latin word for a reed or cane, used by ancient Roman authors including Pliny the Elder — echoed in the common name "Pliny's reed" applied to Arundo plinii.
Distribution
Arundo is native to southern Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, ranging as far east as Japan. Its most widespread member, Arundo donax, has been introduced to many additional regions and is frequently invasive in riparian and disturbed habitats outside its native range.
Ecology
Arundo species favour warm temperate climates and typically grow in riparian corridors, marshes, and disturbed ground. Arundo donax in particular is highly competitive in moist, low-elevation habitats and can form dense monocultures that displace native vegetation.
Cultural Uses
Arundo donax has a long history of human use: its hollow stems have been used to make musical instrument reeds (oboes, clarinets, bagpipes), fishing rods, and traditional fencing. The species is also cultivated as a biomass crop for bioenergy production.
