Phragmites cane

[ibex]

Is there a difference between Arundo donax and Phragmites cane? If so, doe's Phragmites grow in So Cal?

[billy]

Hi Ibex,

Yes, I believe there is a difference between the two.  I've examined numerous phragmites reed arrows in the Smithsonian, and the joints are noticeably different than the joints in Arundo donax.  I once stopped in southern Illinois and cut some phragmites reed (at least that's what I thought it was) and was very disappointed in its weakness and flexibility.  Of course it was green, so that may have made a difference, but it was so lightweight that there was no way I would have used them for serious arrows.  I could actually just pinch the reed between my fingers and crush it flat! It also had bad kinks at the joints, so I eventually just threw it away.

I have driven thru central and southern CA and seen large stands of Arundo Donax along I-5, especially north of San Francisco.  Arundo is far superior to the reed that I collected in southern Illinois.  It is stronger, heavier, and straighter.  I use it a lot, and have been very impressed with it.  It makes great arrows. 

[JackCrafty]

Good question.

I have used both and I think there are some differences in the plants...but it's hard to tell the difference if you're looking at arrows made from the two plants.

I'm not an expert on plants and I'm not sure if I got this right, but I think the cane that grows here locally is phragmites.  I guess I could call it "western phragmites" because it seems to be different from the "eastern phragmites" I've seen.  The local phragmites (here in West Texas) might be a variation of Arundo donax that has acclimated to dry conditions...I don't now.  The biggest problem in identifying the type of cane we have here locally is the fact that many Native American arrows were made from it and appear to be very strong.  It's unclear if the cane used for these arrows was brought to the new world by the Spanish or if it is a native species.

The biggest difference in Arundo donax (or giant cane) and "western phragmites" is that the growth rate and size of giant cane is much greater.  Giant cane can get to 25 feet tall in one year!  Our phrag grows to about half that size in two years.

The other difference is that Giant cane needs a lot of water.  I've seen our phrag growing in very dry, desert-like areas where it would be impossible for many other plants to grow, let alone Giant cane.

The nodes are very similar but the walls of our phrag tend to be thicker than the Giant cane.  You cannot crush "western phrag" by pinching it between your fingers.

Hope that helps.

[ibex]

Thanks for the great info. What species of cane are the Paiute and Chumash arrows that I see in the museums made of? Steve

[Pat B]

Arumda donax is an exotic species and was brought in to this country way after Europeans came here. Phragmites is a native species(I believe) and is probably what was used by the Native American for arrows and atlatl darts.