Arundinaria reed (Arundinaria species)

Also known as: Simon bamboo

Arundinaria reed is a clumping bamboo plant. It can outcompete native plants and make nesting difficult for birds.

Profile

How does this weed affect you?

Arundinaria reed forms dense clumps that:

• outcompete native understory plants
• makes nesting and burrowing difficult for many bird species
• could become a serious weed of urban bushlands, roadsides, and open woodland areas.

What does it look like?

Arundinaria reed is an evergreen, long-lived bamboo that usually grows 3–6 m tall. The following description is for Arundinaria simonii f. Variegata, the form that has naturalised in NSW.

Leaves are:

• oval to linear, tapering to a point at the end with parallel veins
• streaked (variegated), with white bands running along the leaf
• 10–25 cm long and 1.5–2.5 cm wide
• hairless
• smooth along the edges
• on short stalks enclosed by a sheath that wraps around the stem.

Flowerheads are:

• on short stalks enclosed by a sheath that wraps around the stem.
• on slender, single-stalked spikes or multibranched clusters
• thin and oval-shaped with many flowers
• 3–11 mm long
• rare, not appearing every year.

Stems are:

• green
• cylindrical with many nodes
• usually 3–6 m tall and 0.5–3 cm in diameter
• hollow between nodes
• mostly upright
• slightly drooping when young.

Roots:

Arundinaria reed has rhizomes, a type of stem that grows just under the surface.

Similar looking plants

Arundinaria reed looks like:

• Clumping bamboos (Bambusa spp.), which have larger stems, more than 3 cm in diameter.
• Running bamboos (Phyllostachys spp.), which have leaves with a network of veins (not parallel) and the stems have grooves that can be seen in cross-section.

Where is it found?

In NSW, Arundinaria reed has naturalised on Lord Howe Island, where it has spread from gardens into nearby World Heritage areas. There are also isolated infestations near Manly in the Greater Sydney region and Wagga Wagga in the Riverina region.

Arundinaria reed is native to China and Japan. It was introduced to Australia as an ornamental plant. About eight species of Arundinaria grow worldwide.

What type of environment does it grow in?

Arundinaria reed grows best in semi-tropical or warm temperate climates. It can tolerate partial shade and full sun. It could become a weed:

• in urban bushland
• along forest edges
• in open woodland
• in disturbed sites
• along roadsides.

How does it spread?

By seed

Arundinaria reed can spread by seed, but seed production is rare.

By plant parts

Most spread is via the rhizomes. These have been moved intentionally by people growing them in gardens and by people dumping garden waste.

References

Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS). (2024). Weeds Australia: Arundinaria reed, Arundinaria spp. Retrieved 16 June 2025 from: https://weeds.org.au/profiles/arundinaria-reed-simons/

Lucid Pty. Ltd. & Identic (2016). Weeds of Australia Fact Sheet Arundinaria simonii (Carr.) A. & C. Rivière. Retrieved 16 June 2025 from: https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/arundinaria_simonii.htm

PlantNET - The Plant Information Network System of The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 16 June 2025 from: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=in&name=Arundinaria~simonii+f.~variegata

Zhu, Zheng-de; De-zhu, Li; Stapleton, Chris (2007), "Arundinaria", in Wu, Z. Y.; Raven, P.H.; Hong, D.Y., Flora of China 22, Beijing: Science Press; St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Available athttp://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=102740

More information

back to top

Control

Successful weed control requires follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful. Arundinaria reed can be controlled year round.

Physical removal

Physical removal of small infestations can be very successful. Dig out and dispose of all the underground rhizomes.

Chemical control

Cut stump method

Cut the stems close to the ground and apply herbicide within 15 seconds.

Disposal

Contact your local council for advice on disposal methods.

Herbicide options

See Using herbicides for more information.

---

PERMIT 11916 Expires 30/09/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate to 50 parts water
Comments: Spot spray regrowth at 0.5 m tall. For use in urban bushland, native forests and coastal reserves. See permit for critical comments.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate to 1.5 parts water
Comments: Cut stump. Retreatment necessary.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

back to top

Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.

back to top

Reviewed 2026