Giant Reed / Cañabrava
Arundo donax
An invasive species native the the Middle East, giant reed has become a common sight in residential neighbourhoods and drainage ditches across central Texas. It forms dense stands of huge grasses up to six metres (20 feet) high which flowers in huge plumes in the late summer.
The Cahuilla used the enormous stalks of the plant to make splints for broken limbs as well as flutelike instruments. The Papago made a yellow dye from the copious amounts of pollen it produces. The Navajo used the stalks to make prayer sticks. An infusion of the root is said to stimulate menstrual flow and cease lactation, and is a diuretic and diaphoretic. A root paste is applied to the forehead to treat headache. When boiled in wine and honey, the rhizome has been used as a traditional cancer treatment.
The root of the giant reed has been used as a psychoactive by the Shipibo in Peru, who also set up crosses made from the stalks to prevent bad luck being imbued into the brew. (NOTE: do not experiment with psychoactives! There is not much research into this plant or its effects and you may cause serious damage to yourself or others if you take it!)
The rhizomes are edible and starchy when young and tender, and may be eaten raw, boiled, steamed, or baked. They may also be dried, then ground into a flour or meal. The leaves are bitter, but edible and may be boiled to enhance their palatability. The young shoots may be used as one might use asparagus or bamboo shoots.
I associate this plant with the god Faunus, the Sun, the astrological sign Pisces, and the element Fire.
