| a tall grass, Arundo donax, of southern Europe, having woody stems and a spirelike flower cluster often 2 ft. (60 cm) long. |

giant reed
(Arundo donax), tall perennial grass of the family Poaceae, native to Europe and introduced into southeastern North America as an ornamental. Giant reed is 1.8 to 7 m (about 6 to 23 feet) tall and grows in dense clumps. The flat leaves, often 60 cm (2 feet) long and about 7.5 cm (3 inches) wide, are used to make mats
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