Perennial grass with short rhizomes, the lower nodes often swollen. Leaves with blade to about 30 cm long. Inflorescence spike cylindrical, 5-15 cm long. Glumes entire; spring.

Mediterranean

A widely naturalised grass that is common in ditches and along roadsides. Originally distributed in the early 1900s from Toowoomba Botanic Gardens, Queensland, as a pasture and fodder grass and still grown for this purpose. Now naturalised widely and a serious environmental weed in all states except the Northern Territory.

 

P. arundinacea 'Feesey's Form' has flower clusters white turning to pale brown and with white foliage striped with pink.

P. arundinacea 'Picta', Variegated Reed Grass (Ribbon Grass, Gardener's Garters), is available as a very attractive variegated grass with white-striped leaves, but the rhizomes are invasive. [var. picta L.]

Source: Spencer, R.; Aldous, D.; Stajsic, V.; McGeary, D (2005). Poaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.