giant reed
1
5.3
- noun
- /ˈdʒaɪənt riːd/
- The giant reed can grow up to 20 feet tall, creating lush green areas along riverbanks.
- giant reed and switchgrass
Examples
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Many birds build their nests in the dense thickets of giant reed found near wetlands.
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Giant reed "e-grass" is being considered as a biofuel crop in the Gulf Coast region.
Academic text (2008) -
To people in the renewable fuels industry, Arundo donax—also known as "giant reed"—is nothing short of a miracle plant.
Blog text (3) -
Giant reed is a rhizomatous perennial C3 grass native to East Asia and the Mediterranean coast and is considered one of the largest grass species (Lewandowski et al. 2003).
Academic text (2008) -
In some regions, giant reed is used for erosion control because of its extensive root system.
Synonyms
7
1.9
A tall grass with hollow stems that grows near water
1
9.6
A tall grass with thick stems and feathery flower clusters that grows near rivers or ditches
How Tall
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'giant' (very large) modifies 'reed' (a tall grasslike plant), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer a very large reed. This adjective+noun compound follows a common, cross-linguistic pattern and requires no idiomatic knowledge, making it immediately understandable.
Etymology
Giant reed comes from a simple image: the word giant means very large and reed is a tall water plant that grows by rivers and ditches. So, giant reed today names a very tall grass with long stems that stands above other plants by river banks and ditches.