Giant Cane (Arundo Donax, Spanish Cane, Wild Cane, Giant Reed)
Do not Feed- Common Name: Giant Cane (Arundo Donax, Spanish Cane, Wild Cane, Giant Reed)
- Latin Name: Arundo donax
- Family Name: Poaceae
This cane is one of the tallest members of the grass family, growing up to 9 meters (30 ft.) high, and so no doubt impractical as a plant for most gardens. Research indicates that it can contain high levels of DMT (Dimethyltryptamine), which in humans can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause severe hallucinations, as well as traces of toxins such as bufotenidine and gramine.
The flower head appears as a white plume, not unlike that of Pampas Grass. It is said that young shoots of Giant Cane can be fed to elephants, but in the absence of research on the effect this plant has on reptiles, we would recommend erring on the side of caution and avoid feeding it to your tortoise.
