''Gynerium'' is a monotypic genus of Neotropical plants in the

grass family Poaceae () or Gramineae () is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivated in lawns and ...

, native to Mexico and

Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...

, Central America, South America, and the West Indies. It is classified in its own tribe Gynerieae. The sole species in the genus is ''Gynerium sagittatum'', a tall grass that grows up to six metres (twenty feet) high. It is a very vigorous species that grows into a considerably dense mass of vegetation. The species is known as "cana-do-rio", "cana-flecha", "cana-frecha", "ubá" and "cana-brava" in Brazil, "caña brava" in Peru and

, "chuchío" in eastern Bolivia, and "tañil" in

Guatemala Guatemala ( ; ), officially the Republic of Guatemala ( es, República de Guatemala, links=no), is a country in Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico; to the northeast by Belize and the Caribbean; to the east by H ...

and other Spanish speaking countries. It is known in English as "wildcane" or "wild cane", while "arrow cane" is less common (''sagitta'' is Latin for ''arrow'').

Description

The stems are straight and erect, the lower part is covered with "vainas" from the fallen leaves, while in the middle part the leaves are arranged in fan shaped groups. The upper part, round and thin, stiff on the outside and soft on the inside, develops a large bloom at the top. There are many varieties in the plant's stems. The bark zone, which is the main factor in the unusual height, functions as a water distribution system, transporting water from the underground roots to the superior part of the plant including the leaves. This vital function occurs at any season of the year.

Ecology

Being one of the first plants to colonise open areas, ''G. sagittatum'' is an important pioneer species that reaches new sites via wind-distributed seeds. Once established, it spreads vegetatively, and is found usually near rivers and lakes, and even beaches.

Uses

* In

its straw is used to create different accessories including the traditional sombrero vueltiao, symbol of Colombia. * In Brazil, the lower and middle parts are used in cheap or improvised fences, and in cheap trellises for Vine, climbing plants and cultivation of tomato. The upper part, with the bloom at the top, is sometimes used in decoration. The more homogeneous section of the upper part is used to make arrows and birds cages.

Diversity

;Species The only known species is ''Gynerium sagittatum,'' - widespread from northern Mexico to Paraguay.Giraldo-Cañas, D. (2011). Catálogo de la familia Poaceae en Colombia. Darwiniana 49: 139-247. ;Varieties Three varieties are recognized: * ''Gynerium sagittatum'' var. ''glabrum'' Renvoize & Kalliola - Bolivia * ''Gynerium sagittatum'' var. ''sagittatum'' - from northern Mexico to Paraguay * ''Gynerium sagittatum'' var. ''subandinum'' Renvoize & Kalliola - Bolivia ;formerly included see ''Austroderia Cortaderia Chusquea''

References

* {{Taxonbar, from1=Q5604617, from2=Q143484, from3=Q5690378 Monotypic Poaceae genera Panicoideae