Arundinaria sensu stricto is a genus encompassing three species that are endemic to the Southeastern United States: A. appalachiana (hill cane), A. gigantea (river cane), and A. tecta (switch cane). The taxonomy of this group has been problematic due to a poor understanding of its phylogeny and genetic variation as well as ambiguity surrounding original protologues and designated nomenclatural type specimens. In particular, the neotype of Arundo gigantea (the basionym of Arundinaria gigantea) and the holotype of A. macrosperma (a synonym of A. gigantea) both provide insufficient morphological characters for species identification. Here we designate epitypes to assist with the correct application of the names of these taxa. A summary of diagnostic morphological features for the three species of Arundinaria and comments on their phylogenetic relationships based on recent molecular and morphological analyses are also provided.