Giant Reeds Infest 15,000 Acres of Rio Grande
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, 7:30 p.m. EST
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| The invasive giant reed has infested nearly 15,000 acres of the Rio Grande along the Mexico-U.S. border. (Courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr) | The invasive giant reed plant (Arundo donax) has infested nearly 15,000 acres of the Rio Grande between the Texas cities of Lajitas and San Ygnacio, according to a new study in the journal Invasive Plant Science and Management.
Giant reed, also known as Carrizo cane, is a nonnative bamboo-like plant that can grow more than 32-feet tall. The giant reed consumes large amounts of water compared to native vegetation due to its rapid growth rate.
The study used aerial photography to identify areas of infestations of the nonindigenous weed and is the first step toward complete documentation of giant reed infestations along the river and for the long-term control and management of giant reed in the entire Rio Grande basin, according to the authors.
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Giant Reeds Infest 15,000 Acres of Rio Grande
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