Arundinella nepalensis aka Reed Grass

Arundinella nepalensis is an evergreen grass in the Poaceae family. This perennial grows in clumps and keeps its leaves year-round. Its native range spans Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. It also reaches the Indian subcontinent, Indo-China, and northern and eastern Australia. Kew places it in the seasonally dry tropical biome. Other sources record it in subtropical and warm temperate regions.

Short rhizomes with scales support the clumps beneath the soil. The upright stems range from thin to stout. Plants reach about 3–6.6 feet [0.9–2 metres] tall. Useful Tropical Plants also lists a height of 4.9 feet [1.5 metres]. Some plants reach 9.8 feet [3 metres], beyond the usual range. Wind carries the pollen, and flowers have both male and female organs. The supplied sources give no flowering season or fruit details.

In Nepal, this grass grows in open ground. Records there span elevations of 984–8,202 feet [300–2,500 metres]. In China, it grows in mountain grassland and hillside thickets. In New South Wales, it occupies dry woods and grassland. There it often grows along drainage routes. These records show the range of places it occupies in the wild. Garden guidance calls for a sheltered site with full sun. Plants For A Future states that it cannot grow in shade.

Give it fertile soil that holds moisture but drains well. Sandy, loamy, and clay soils all suit it. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soil. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 6–9. That source also gives UK zone 7, not an RHS H-rating. Suggested garden sites include planted beds and sunny woodland edges. Its evergreen clumps provide year-round foliage in those settings. People harvest wild stems for roof thatch and fencing.

Seed and division offer ways to raise new plants. Sow seed on the surface under glass at about 20°C. Keep the compost from drying out during germination. Some seed may take three to six months to sprout. Divide plants in late spring as new growth starts. The sources also list rhizome and basal cane cuttings. No food or medicinal uses are recorded in these sources. They report no known hazards, but this does not establish safety. The supplied evidence names no specific pests or diseases.