Welcome to the Plant Pages, where you will find an introduction to 25 common plants of Upper Newport Bay. This is a product of a dedicated and talented volunteer, Don Millar, who photographed plants for over three years to capture the blooms and seeds during their season. The pictures and descriptions should help you recognize the plants you will encounter during restoration projects and on outings in this habitat. You can find a larger index of Upper Newport Bay plants by visiting the Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends website.

Right Column

Giant Reed (Arundo donax)

Plant: Tall, erect, rapid growing, perennial, reed-like grass, 6 to 24 feet tall. The jointed stems are ½ to 1½ inches in diameter, hollow and divided by partitions at the nodes. Introduced in California in the early 1800s and was used in the 1820s as roofing material. Reeds for woodwind instruments are still made from the stems. Very invasive.
Flowers: Large, 12 to 24 inches long, plume-like terminal, many-branched, floral collections
Leaf: Long slender blades tapering to a fine point