Arundinaria gigantea aka Switchcane

Arundinaria gigantea is a native bamboo in the grass family. Gardeners know it as giant cane or river cane. It grows in the central and southeastern United States. Its wild homes include riverbanks, floodplains, and low woods. Dense stands of this bamboo are called canebrakes. Farming, grazing, and habitat loss have reduced these stands.

Garden plants often reach 8–20 feet (2.4–6.1 metres) tall. Missouri Botanical Garden lists a shorter height of 12 feet (3.66 metres). Some plants reach 25 feet (7.6 metres). Clumps can spread 8–20 feet (2.4–6.1 metres) wide. Underground rhizomes spread fast and form thick patches. The smooth, hollow canes have joints and bear branches. Green canes turn brown and woody as they age. They can reach about 0.08 feet (0.025 metres) across. The evergreen leaves grow in an alternate pattern. They are narrow, with mostly smooth edges and some hairs beneath.

Small flowers form loose clusters called panicles. Blooming is rare, with flowers appearing from April to July. Flowering stems die after their seeds ripen in summer. The fruit is a grain known as a caryopsis. Songbirds and small mammals eat the seeds. Dense leaves and stems give wildlife cover throughout the year. Several butterflies use the plant to feed their young. These include southern pearly-eye, creole pearly-eye, and skipper butterflies.

Grow giant cane in moist soil that drains well. It does best in rich loam with full or partial sun. It tolerates deeper shade, but full sun supports good growth. Brief flooding is acceptable; lasting wetness does not suit it. It grows in USDA zones 5–9. Shelter from drying winds helps keep plants in good shape. Organic mulch holds moisture and protects roots in winter. Rhizome barriers or large sunken pots can limit its spread.

Use it for screens, hedges, or natural areas near streams. Its roots help hold soil along banks. People use the canes for baskets, fishing poles, and instruments. Cooked young shoots and cooked seeds are edible. The seeds are small and hard to gather in bulk. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards. Serious pests and diseases are uncommon, though rust and leaf spots occur. Deer resistance is high. Spreading growth can need control, and the plant burns readily. Keep it away from the fire-safe space around homes.