giant reed

noun

: a tall perennial grass (Arundo donax) native to Mediterranean regions that has woody stems used especially in making baskets, shelters, and reeds for woodwind instruments

Examples of giant reed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike Tree-of-Heaven roots, Johnson grass does little to prevent erosion, so landowners planted invasive Arundo, a giant reed similar to bamboo that has its own, larger thirsty straws, to try to hold everything in place. —Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, 16 Nov. 2022

The saltwater intrusion into marshes will knock back noxious plants such as cattail and giant reed, creating open water (and) allowing for vegetation of higher quality to grow in its absence. —Gary Garth, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2017

One of the biggest culprits is the invasive weed known as arundo donax, or the giant reed, which clogs the river when water begins to flow. —Phil Diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, 21 Oct. 2017

Cane Hundreds of thousands of acres in the southern U.S., from Florida to California, are infested with an exotic plant known as carrizo cane, or giant reed. —Brian Barth, Smithsonian, 3 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above