Key to the Species of Arundinaria sensu stricto

1. Primary branches with 0–1 compressed basal internodes; culm internodes usually sulcate; culm leaves deciduous ...... A. gigantea

1. Primary branches with 2–5 compressed basal internodes; culm internodes usually terete; culm leaves persistent to tardily deciduous.

2. Foliage blades coriaceous, persistent, abaxial surfaces densely pubescent or glabrous, strongly tessellate; primary branches usually more than 50 cm long.............................................................................................................................................................. A. tecta

2. Foliage blades chartaceous to subcoriaceous, deciduous, abaxial surfaces glabrous or pubescent, weakly tessellate; primary branches usually less than 50 cm long.

3. Primary branch basal nodes not developing secondary branches; primary branches usually less than 35 cm long; foliage blade abaxial surfaces sparsely pilose or glabrous; auricles absent; top knot blades 9–22.5 cm long ............................... A. appalachiana

3. Primary branch basal nodes developing secondary branches; primary branches 12–49 cm long; foliage blade abaxial surfaces long pubescent; auricles present; top knot blades 9–37 cm long ........................................................................................ A. alabamensis