Cinna arundinacea - Web page Navigation - Stout Woodreed, Sweet Woodreed Page

"Discover the beauty and versatility of Cinna arundinacea Stout Woodreed, also known as Sweet Woodreed. This perennial plant is perfect for both aquatic and terrestrial environments, with its leaves emergent in water and its rhizomes present for stability. The stem of the Cinna arundinacea is short and compact, with close stems and swollen or brittle nodes.

Not only is the Cinna arundinacea a stunning addition to any landscape, it also offers a range of desirable characteristics. The stems can be erect or ascending, and sometimes even rooting at the nodes. They are solitary and often swollen at the base, giving them a unique and visually pleasing appearance.

The leaves of the Cinna arundinacea are primarily cauline, meaning they are located above the base of the plant. They are distichous, which means they are conspicuously arranged in two rows. The leaf sheath is open and smooth, and the leaf blades are linear and typically 2-10 mm wide. They are mostly flat and either glabrous or scabrous, giving them a roughened or wrinkled texture.

The Cinna arundinacea produces a beautiful inflorescence, with terminal panicles that are either contracted or narrowly paniculate. The branches can be appressed or ascending, and the inflorescence can be solitary or with just one spike, fascicle, glomerule, or cluster per stem or culm. The branches can be widely spreading or drooping, creating a visually stunning display.

The spikelets of the Cinna arundinacea are pedicellate and laterally compressed, with dimensions less than 3 mm wide. They have one fertile floret and are disarticulating below the glumes. The glumes are present and distinctly unequal, often keeled or winged. The lemma, or the protective covering of the floret, is similar in texture to the glumes and can be coriaceous or firmer in texture. The lemma is usually glabrous and either acute or acuminate at the apex. It can be awnless, mucronate, or very shortly beaked.

As for growth requirements, the Cinna arundinacea prefers coarse, medium, or fine textured soils. It can tolerate medium levels of anaerobic conditions and calcium carbonate. Although it is not highly drought-tolerant, it has a low moisture use and can survive with moderate levels of fertility.

Whether you are looking for a stunning addition to your landscape or a plant with various ecological benefits, the Cinna arundinacea Stout Woodreed is the perfect choice. With its unique characteristics and adaptability to different environments, it is sure to bring beauty and value to your outdoor space."