Switchcane
Scientific Name: Arundinaria tecta (Walter) Muhl.
Synonyms: Arundinaria gigantea (Walter) Muhl. ssp. <i>tecta</i> (Walter) McClure, Arundo tecta Walter
Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Arundinaria Michx./ Arundinaria tecta (Walter) Muhl.
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Usda Symbol | ARTE4 |
| Group | Monocot |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Growth Habits | GraminoidShrub, Subshrub, |
| Native Locations | ARTE4 |
Plant Guide
Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Switchcane is planted.
Plant Traits
Growth Requirements
| Temperature, Minimum (°F) | -3 |
|---|---|
| Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils | No |
| Adapted to Fine Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Medium Textured Soils | Yes |
| Anaerobic Tolerance | Low |
| CaCO3 Tolerance | None |
| Cold Stratification Required | No |
| Drought Tolerance | Low |
| Fertility Requirement | Low |
| Fire Tolerance | High |
| Frost Free Days, Minimum | 250 |
| Hedge Tolerance | Low |
| Moisture Use | High |
| pH, Maximum | 7.0 |
| pH, Minimum | 4.5 |
| Planting Density per Acre, Maxim | 7200 |
| Planting Density per Acre, Minim | 3700 |
| Precipitation, Maximum | 60 |
| Precipitation, Minimum | 45 |
| Root Depth, Minimum (inches) | 12 |
| Salinity Tolerance | None |
| Shade Tolerance | Intolerant |
Morphology/Physiology
| After Harvest Regrowth Rate | Rapid |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | None |
| Resprout Ability | No |
| Shape and Orientation | Erect |
| Active Growth Period | Spring and Summer |
| Bloat | None |
| C:N Ratio | Medium |
| Coppice Potential | No |
| Fall Conspicuous | No |
| Fire Resistant | Yes |
| Flower Color | Green |
| Flower Conspicuous | No |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Foliage Porosity Summer | Dense |
| Foliage Porosity Winter | Porous |
| Fruit/Seed Color | Brown |
| Nitrogen Fixation | None |
| Low Growing Grass | No |
| Lifespan | Moderate |
| Leaf Retention | No |
| Known Allelopath | No |
| Height, Mature (feet) | 25.0 |
| Growth Rate | Rapid |
| Growth Form | Rhizomatous |
| Fruit/Seed Conspicuous | No |
| Foliage Texture | Coarse |
Reproduction
| Vegetative Spread Rate | Rapid |
|---|---|
| Small Grain | No |
| Seedling Vigor | Low |
| Seed Spread Rate | Slow |
| Fruit/Seed Period End | Fall |
| Propagated by Tubers | No |
| Propagated by Sprigs | No |
| Propagated by Sod | No |
| Propagated by Seed | No |
| Propagated by Cuttings | No |
| Propagated by Container | Yes |
| Propagated by Bulb | No |
| Propagated by Bare Root | Yes |
| Fruit/Seed Persistence | No |
| Fruit/Seed Period Begin | Summer |
| Fruit/Seed Abundance | Low |
| Commercial Availability | No Known Source |
| Bloom Period | Summer |
| Propagated by Corm | Yes |
Suitability/Use
| Veneer Product | No |
|---|---|
| Pulpwood Product | No |
| Protein Potential | Medium |
| Post Product | No |
| Palatable Human | No |
| Palatable Graze Animal | High |
| Palatable Browse Animal | High |
| Nursery Stock Product | Yes |
| Naval Store Product | No |
| Lumber Product | No |
| Fodder Product | No |
| Christmas Tree Product | No |
| Berry/Nut/Seed Product | No |
