A. donax var. Snyder, S. A. 1991. Giant reed was introduced from the Mediterranean as an ornamental species. Although it is an agressive and oftentimes undesirable species, giant reed can be planted on landslide scarred areas to prevent soil erosion. Giant reed is considered a nuisance species because it invades riparian areas and chokes out native vegetation.
Herbicides can effectively eradicate giant reed.
Glyphosate applications during spring, summer, and fall in California were successful in killing giant reed if applied by the cut-stem method. Giant reed develops a tangled mass of flammable shoots and dry leaves at maturity. Distribution of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians by BLM physiographic regions and A.W. Kuchler's associations for the eleven western states. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. Bryant, Vaughn B., Jr. 1974.