Appearance

Neyraudia reynaudiana is a perennial, bunch grass that can grow to 10 ft. (3 m) tall.

Foliage

Leaves are linear, flat, slightly hairy on the top, glabrous (no hairs) underneath, 8-39 in. (20-100 cm) long and 0.3-1 in. (8-25 mm) wide. Leaf sheaths are marked by a collar of hairs and a hairy ligule.

Flowers

Flowering occurs in April to October, when large, silver, plume-like inflorescences develop. The inflorescences can be up to 3 ft. (0.9 m) long.

Fruit

Fruits are 0.06-0.12 in. (1.5-3 mm) long and narrowly elliptic.

Ecological Threat

Neyraudia reynaudiana can be distinguished from common reed by the hairy collar around the leaf sheath. Neyraudia reynaudiana is native to South Asia and was introduced into the United States in 1916. It is extremely flammable and can produce flames up to 30 ft. (9 m) high.

Resources

• Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
• Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
• Images and Information - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category I
• Florida Noxious Weeds
• John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
• Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Mgmt. Area
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References