A novel porous pillar-like gamma-Fe2O3 coated with carbon layer (gamma-Fe2O3/C) was successfully synthesized by using discarded natural Typha orientalis Presl (TOP) as the carbon source, FeC2O4 center dot 2H(2)O as the sacrifice template and pore-forming agent. The obtained porous gamma-Fe2O3/C pillars as the anode materials for lithium ion batteries exhibited a highly reversible capacity of 520.8 mA h g(-1) after 500 cycles at a current density of 1.0 A g(-1). Besides, the gamma-Fe2O3/C material shows the excellent rate capabilities of 1003, 890, 780, 685, 630, 600 mA h g(-1) at 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.0 A g(-1), respectively, which are much higher than those of the gamma-Fe2O3. These wonderful electrochemical performances of the gamma-Fe2O3/C nanocomposite are due to the existence of porous pillar-like shape and carbon, which can effectively increase electrical conductivity, shorten the transmission path of the electrons/ions in axial and radial directions, and also relieve the volume changes during the charge-discharge process. These excellent results give us an inspiration of turning waste into wealth for designing smart, environment-friendly and low-cost methods to prepare other functional materials.