Reed is a perennial with well-developed rhizomes. Culms erect, 1-3 m tall, 1-4 cm in diam., with more than 20 nodes, basal and upper nodes shorter, longest node located in the lower 4-6th nodes, 20-25 cm long, waxy powdered below the nodes.

Leaf sheaths are shorter proximally than and longer than their internodes distally; ligule margins are densely covered with a ring of short cilia ca. 1 mm long, with cilia on both sides 3-5 mm long, readily deciduous; leaf blades are lanceolate-linear, 30 cm long, 2 cm wide, glabrous, and with a long acuminate filamentous apical tip.

The panicle is large, 20-40 centimeters long, ca. 10 centimeters wide, mostly branched, 5-20 centimeters long, bearing densely pendulous spikelets; the spikelet stipe is 2-4 millimeters long, glabrous; the spikelet is ca. 12 millimeters long, containing 4 flowers. Glumes 3-veined, first glume 4 mm long; second glume ca. 7 mm long.

First sterile lemma male, ca. 12 mm, second lemma 11 mm, 3-veined, apically long acuminate, basal disc prolonged, sides densely filiform-pilose as long as lemma, with conspicuous joints with glabrous rachilla, readily detaching from joints at maturity; palea ca. 3 mm, both ridges scabrid; stamens 3, anthers 1.5-2 mm, yellow; glumes ca. 1.5 mm. yellow; caryopsis ca. 1.5 mm.

Extended information

Reed is a polyphyletic species with a wide global distribution. It is found in rivers and lakes, along ponds and ditches, and in low wetlands. In addition to forest habitats do not grow, a variety of open areas with water sources, often with its rapid expansion of reproductive capacity, the formation of continuous reed communities.

Reeds are planted along the water's edge and are especially beautiful during the blooming season. The new varieties of reeds on the market now have deep-water hardiness, drought resistance, high temperature resistance, and resistance to collapse, and have the advantages of short-term molding and rapid landscape formation.

Reed rods have a high cellulose content and can be used to make paper and man-made fibers. In ancient times, the reed was used to prepare "reed mats" used as a bed, cover the house. In addition, there is an ancient musical instrument called the reed flute is made of the empty stems of the reed. The spikes of reeds can be used to make brooms, and the flowers of reeds can be used to fill pillows, so there are many different uses.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Reed (Gramineae)