Switchcane

Description

Arundinaria tecta, or switchcane, is a bamboo species native to the Southeast United States, first studied in 1813. It serves as host to several butterfly species.[4] The species typically occurs in palustrine wetlands. Arundinaria tecta is a low and slender bamboo that branches in its upper half, growing up to 0.6–4 m (2 ft 0 in–13 ft 1 in) in height. The leaves are 8–20 cm (3.1–7.9 in) long and 0.8–3 cm (0.31–1.18 in) wide, tapering in width towards their base. The panicles are borne on shoots that grow directly from the rhizomes. Each panicle has a few clustered spikelets on slender branches. These branches have loose sheaths with minute leaves. The spikelets are 2.5–5 cm (0.98–1.97 in) long and have five to ten flowers. The plant flowers from March to June.