At this time of the year the giant reed sports large feathery plumes each of which is made up of hundreds, if not thousands, of small flowers.

The giant reed is an impressive grass that grows in large clumps in damp soils. In the Maltese islands it is very common along valley bottoms.

It is probably native to the Eastern Mediterranean, parts of Africa and the Southern Arabian Peninsula but has been introduced throughout the region as well as in America and Australia. It was probably brought to the Maltese islands in ancient times.

The giant reed grows up to six metres high and looks like the more familiar bamboo.

At this time of the year the giant reed sports large feathery plumes each of which is made up of hundreds, if not thousands, of small flowers. These flowers rarely produce seeds and when they do, they are infertile. As a result, giant reed does not reproduce sexually.

The plant grows out of an underground rhizome that can spread rapidly and can quickly colonise suitable areas. When a part of a rhizome breaks off from it, it is easily carried away by flowing water to new areas where it can take root and establish new stands.

In Maltese the giant reed is known as qasba kbira but most people refer to it by its collective name qasab.

Giant reeds have been utilised for various purposes over the centuries. A little known local musical instrument known as żummara, was made from a piece of giant reed.

Until recently large quantities used to be harvested to produce blinds known in Maltese as ħasira, as well as fish traps (nases tal-vopi).

In Sicily the giant reed is used to make a cannizzu while in Spain it is used to make cañizo. These are rectangular structures made of weaved reeds which are used as windbreakers and to cover roofs, doors, etc., similar to the Maltese ħasira.

The Maltese kannizzata is derived from the Sicilian word. The word kannizzata is nowadays used for a vine trellis, a structure on which creeping plants can grow. Today these are made of wood or plastic.

A kannizzata can also be a float used by fishermen to provide shelter for the dolphin fish (lampuka). In the past the kannizzata was made of reeds but nowadays they are made of palm fronds.

In the US, the giant reed is being investigated for its potential as a biofuel and experiments are being carried out to determine the best conditions required for maximum growth and maximum energy output.

Cane harvesting has decreased drastically in the Maltese islands because the reeds have been replaced by other material, especially plastic. As a result, the giant reed is expanding its range to the detriment of native vegetation.

Now is the time to start making use again of the giant reed, a sustainable and environment-friendly activity that also helps to control the spread of this species.

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