White-flowered Reed from Zhangye

White-flowered Reed from Zhangye

　　The white-flowered reed (with a small amount of purple-flowered reed) is a specialty of Zhangye. It grows rapidly, with thick stalks, tall plants, dense growth, strong fiber toughness, and high quality. A large quantity of its leaves are transported to other regions to be used as palm leaf-like wrapping material. Located in China’s northwestern frontier, Zhangye boasts abundant water sources everywhere — one might say streams murmur and rivers weave like a tapestry — which is why reeds grow in thick clusters along lakeshores and riverbanks. Reed is a perennial herbaceous fibrous plant that requires no management and can be harvested annually. It is an important raw material for papermaking fibers, synthetic materials, and the weaving industry. Reed products from Zhangye are also widely used in weaving reed mats for beds and kang (traditional heated beds), roofing components, and medicinal packaging.