The Plant

Arundo donax is the scientific name of the plant that all musical instrument reeds come from. The plant is in the grass family and is not directly related to bamboo.  Arundo donax is native to the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, though it can now be found in many countries around the world. Ancient reed instruments used the same plant as we continue do use today. Traditionally, the cultivation of cane for woodwind reeds has been limited to the Var Region of southeastern France along the Mediterranean. Reliable cane is now being produced in Spain, Turkey, China, Argentina and Mexico.