Description: Reed-like perennial shrubs, with long or short leptomorph rhizomes; culms woody, circular in cross section.
Leaves petiolate, with sheath usually persistent with 1–several equal branches in the axils; blade linear to lanceolate or narrow-oblong, venation usually parallel.
Inflorescence racemose or paniculate. Spikelets usually several–many-flowered. Glumes 3. Florets bisexual. Stigmas 3. Lemmas longer than glumes. Palea 2-keeled.
Distribution and occurrence: World-wide: c. 150 species from Madagascar and northern India to Japan, also N. America. Grows from mountain regions of the tropics to lowlands. Not recorded as naturalised, but sometimes individual plants of some species are persistent in old gardens.
Arundinaria amabilis from China has been noteworthy for its use in split and glued fishing rods. Arundinaria japonica, A. fastuosa and A. viridis are the most commonly cultivated species.
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs & S. M. Hastings
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Arundinaria simonii |
|
