burmareed Neyraudiareynaudiana (Kunth) Keng ex A.S. Hitchc.
Appearance
Neyraudia reynaudiana is a perennial, bunch grass that can grow to 10 ft. (3 m) tall.
Foliage
Leaves are linear, flat, slightly hairy on the top, glabrous (no hairs) underneath, 8-39 in. (20-100 cm) long and 0.3-1 in. (8-25 mm) wide. Leaf sheaths are marked by a collar of hairs and a hairy ligule.
Flowers
Flowering occurs in April to October, when large, silver, plume-like inflorescences develop. The inflorescences can be up to 3 ft. (0.9 m) long.
Fruit
Fruits are 0.06-0.12 in. (1.5-3 mm) long and narrowly elliptic.
Ecological Threat
Neyraudia reynaudiana can be distinguished from common reed by the hairy collar around the leaf sheath. Neyraudia reynaudiana is native to South Asia and was introduced into the United States in 1916. It is extremely flammable and can produce flames up to 30 ft. (9 m) high.