Giant Cane (Arundinaria gigantea)
- Family: Grass (Poaceae)
- Flowering: April-May
- Field Marks: This is the only grass with woody stems, these sometimes attaining a height of 14 feet.
- Habitat: Along streams.
- Habit: Woody-stemmed grass with rhizomes.
- Stems: Erect, woody, unbranched, smooth, hollow, up to 14 feet tall.
- Leaves: Alternate, simple, lanceolate, pointed at the tip, tapering to the base, smooth or rough to the touch, up to 12 inches long, up to 3/4 inch broad.
- Flowers: 7 or more borne in spikelets, the spikelets up to 2 1/2 inches long; scales smooth or hairy, sometimes awn-tipped.
- Sepals: 0.
- Petals: 0.
- Stamens: 3.
- Pistils: Ovary superior; styles 2-3.
- Grains: Elongated, with tiny grooves.
- Notes: Most plants do not flower every year. Young parts of the plant can be eaten. The stems are used for fishing poles, and can be made into baskets and mats.
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