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Useful Temperate Plants

Miscanthus sinensis

Andersson

Poaceae


This is a widespread species with a broad range of variation. Although the variants may be locally distinct, there are too many intermediates to allow a more detailed taxonomy to be followed[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

+ Synonyms

Erianthus japonicus (Thunb.) P.Beauv.

Eulalia japonica (Thunb.) Trin.

Eulalia zebrina Van Geert

Miscanthus boninensis Nakai ex Honda

Miscanthus chejuensis Y.N.Lee

Miscanthus chrysander Ôkubo

Miscanthus condensatus Hack.

Miscanthus coreensis Hack.

Miscanthus flavidus Honda

Miscanthus hidakanus Honda

Miscanthus ionandros Nakai

Miscanthus kanehirae Honda

Miscanthus kokusanensis Nakai & Honda

Miscanthus littoralis Honda

Miscanthus matsudae Honda

Miscanthus miser Nakai ex Honda

Miscanthus nakaianus Honda

Miscanthus neocoreanus Honda

Miscanthus purpurascens Andersson

Miscanthus pycnocephalus Honda

Miscanthus transmorrisonensis Hayata

Miscanthus zebrinus (Van Geert) Nakai ex Matsum.

Ripidium japonicum (Thunb.) Trin.

Saccharum japonicum Thunb.

Saccharum roseum Reinw. ex Miq.

Xiphagrostis condensatus (Hack.) W.Wight

Xiphagrostis japonica (Thunb.) Coville

Xiphagrostis japonicus (Trin.) Coville

Common Name: Eulalia

No Image.

General Information

Miscanthus sinensis is a robust, herbaceous perennial grass, forming dense clumps of erect culms around 3 - 10mm in diameter from short, stout, underground rhizomes; it can grow around 30 - 400cm tall[
1789
Title
Khartasia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://khartasia-crcc.mnhn.fr/en
Publisher
Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation des Collections; Paris
Year
2020 (Accessed)
ISBN
 
Description
A website containing information on almost 100 species (as of March 2020) of fibre-producing plants that are used in paper making in eastern Asia. An excellent and developing resource.
,
2155
Title
Industrial Crops - Breeding for BioEnergy and Bioproducts
Publication
 
Author
Von Mark V. Cruz &.David A. Dierig (Editors)
Website
http://10.1007/978-1-4939-1447-0
Publisher
Springer; New York
Year
2015
ISBN
978-1-4939-1447-0
Description
 
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It has potential for use as a commercail biomass crop, and is grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a tall ground-cover plant.

Known Hazards

The leaves have saw-toothed edges that can cut the unwary gardener, it is best to wear gloves when working with the plant[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Botanical References

58
Title
Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Publication
 
Author
Ohwi. G.
Publisher
Smithsonian Institution
Year
1965
ISBN
-
Description
The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East, eastern China, Japan, Korea, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Moist meadows on slopes in lowland and mountains all over Japan[
58
Title
Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Publication
 
Author
Ohwi. G.
Publisher
Smithsonian Institution
Year
1965
ISBN
-
Description
The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitPerennial
Height3.00 m
Growth RateFast
PollinatorsWind
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Fully dormant plants are hardy to about -20°c[
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
Prefers a deep fertile loamy soil that does not dry out in summer[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
] but succeeds in any ordinary soil that is not too dry[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
162
Title
Ornamental Grasses.
Publication
 
Author
Grounds. R.
Publisher
Christopher Helm
Year
1989
ISBN
0-7470-1219-9
Description
Cultivation details of many of the grasses and bamboos. Well illustrated.
], in sun or light shade[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. The plant adapts to various types of soils and is resistant to strong wind and salt spray[
1789
Title
Khartasia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://khartasia-crcc.mnhn.fr/en
Publisher
Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation des Collections; Paris
Year
2020 (Accessed)
ISBN
 
Description
A website containing information on almost 100 species (as of March 2020) of fibre-producing plants that are used in paper making in eastern Asia. An excellent and developing resource.
]. Prefers a pH in the range 4 - 6, but succeeds in 3.5 - 7.5[
2155
Title
Industrial Crops - Breeding for BioEnergy and Bioproducts
Publication
 
Author
Von Mark V. Cruz &.David A. Dierig (Editors)
Website
http://10.1007/978-1-4939-1447-0
Publisher
Springer; New York
Year
2015
ISBN
978-1-4939-1447-0
Description
 
]. The plant has been found to be the sole plant species growing in highly acidic soils around active craters where toxic gases are emitted[
2156
Title
The ecology and agronomy of Miscanthus sinensis, a species important to bioenergy crop development, in its native ra
Publication
GCB Bioenergy (2009) 1, 126-153
Author
Stewart J.R. et al
Website
http://10.1111/j.1757-1707.2009.01010.x
Publisher
 
Year
2009
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
This species photosynthesizes by a more efficient method than most plants. Called the 'C4 carbon-fixation pathway', this process is particularly efficient at high temperatures, in bright sunlight and under dry conditions.
A very variable species. Although some variants may be locally distinct, there are too many intermediate formss to allow any of these variants to be able to be described as distinct. One lowland and coastal form, that has at times been classified as Miscanthus condensatus Hack., or as a subspecies of Miscanthus sinensis, is said to retain its leaves over winter, to be tolerant of saline soils,and to be self-fertile (or at least to produce seed apomictically). However, it is also said to be less cold-tolerant[
2155
Title
Industrial Crops - Breeding for BioEnergy and Bioproducts
Publication
 
Author
Von Mark V. Cruz &.David A. Dierig (Editors)
Website
http://10.1007/978-1-4939-1447-0
Publisher
Springer; New York
Year
2015
ISBN
978-1-4939-1447-0
Description
 
].
Often grown as an ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[
162
Title
Ornamental Grasses.
Publication
 
Author
Grounds. R.
Publisher
Christopher Helm
Year
1989
ISBN
0-7470-1219-9
Description
Cultivation details of many of the grasses and bamboos. Well illustrated.
]. Many forms do not get enough summer heat to flower freely when they are grown in Britain, 'Silberfeder' (syn 'Silver Feather') is the most free-flowering in cooler climates[
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
]. Plants can be grown as a focal point in lawns, they also succeed in quite coarse grass[
233
Title
Perennial Garden Plants
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
J. M. Dent & Sons, London.
Year
1990
ISBN
0 460 86048 8
Description
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
].
The leaves have saw-toothed edges that can cut the unwary gardener, it is best to wear gloves when working with the plant[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[
233
Title
Perennial Garden Plants
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
J. M. Dent & Sons, London.
Year
1990
ISBN
0 460 86048 8
Description
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
].

Edible Uses

Immature flowering spike[
105
Title
Tanaka's Cyclopedia of Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Tanaka. T. & Nakao S.
Publisher
Keigaku Publishing; Tokyo
Year
1976
ISBN
-
Description
The most comprehensive list of edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
,
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. No further details are given.

Medicinal

The juice of young stems is used to disperse poisons, dissolve blood clots, dissipate extravasated blood and remove inflammation[
218
Title
Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
 
Author
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher
Reference Publications, Inc.
Year
1985
ISBN
0-917256-20-4
Description
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
].
The plant is diuretic and refrigerant[
147
Title
A Barefoot Doctors Manual.
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
Running Press; Philadelphica.
Year
1977
ISBN
0-914294-92-X
Description
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.
,
218
Title
Medicinal Plants of China
Publication
 
Author
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.
Publisher
Reference Publications, Inc.
Year
1985
ISBN
0-917256-20-4
Description
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants form impenetrably dense clumps and when planted close together in drifts make an excellent ground cover[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
The plant is tolerant of high levels of aluminum, chromium, and zinc in the soils, and this tolerance to heavy metals can be utilized to develop a bioenergy crop that can be grown on marginal lands and is also suitable for remediating polluted soils[
2155
Title
Industrial Crops - Breeding for BioEnergy and Bioproducts
Publication
 
Author
Von Mark V. Cruz &.David A. Dierig (Editors)
Website
http://10.1007/978-1-4939-1447-0
Publisher
Springer; New York
Year
2015
ISBN
978-1-4939-1447-0
Description
 
,
2156
Title
The ecology and agronomy of Miscanthus sinensis, a species important to bioenergy crop development, in its native ra
Publication
GCB Bioenergy (2009) 1, 126-153
Author
Stewart J.R. et al
Website
http://10.1111/j.1757-1707.2009.01010.x
Publisher
 
Year
2009
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Other Uses

The stems are considered to be a primary thatching material for the roofs of traditional Japanese farmhouses[
1789
Title
Khartasia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://khartasia-crcc.mnhn.fr/en
Publisher
Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation des Collections; Paris
Year
2020 (Accessed)
ISBN
 
Description
A website containing information on almost 100 species (as of March 2020) of fibre-producing plants that are used in paper making in eastern Asia. An excellent and developing resource.
,
2155
Title
Industrial Crops - Breeding for BioEnergy and Bioproducts
Publication
 
Author
Von Mark V. Cruz &.David A. Dierig (Editors)
Website
http://10.1007/978-1-4939-1447-0
Publisher
Springer; New York
Year
2015
ISBN
978-1-4939-1447-0
Description
 
,
2156
Title
The ecology and agronomy of Miscanthus sinensis, a species important to bioenergy crop development, in its native ra
Publication
GCB Bioenergy (2009) 1, 126-153
Author
Stewart J.R. et al
Website
http://10.1111/j.1757-1707.2009.01010.x
Publisher
 
Year
2009
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The leaves are woven to make storage bags for charcoal in Japan[
2156
Title
The ecology and agronomy of Miscanthus sinensis, a species important to bioenergy crop development, in its native ra
Publication
GCB Bioenergy (2009) 1, 126-153
Author
Stewart J.R. et al
Website
http://10.1111/j.1757-1707.2009.01010.x
Publisher
 
Year
2009
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves and stems[
2156
Title
The ecology and agronomy of Miscanthus sinensis, a species important to bioenergy crop development, in its native ra
Publication
GCB Bioenergy (2009) 1, 126-153
Author
Stewart J.R. et al
Website
http://10.1111/j.1757-1707.2009.01010.x
Publisher
 
Year
2009
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

The plant is used to make the movable screen of the paper mould for hand-made paper, since its smooth surface leaves no mark[
1789
Title
Khartasia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://khartasia-crcc.mnhn.fr/en
Publisher
Centre de Recherche sur la Conservation des Collections; Paris
Year
2020 (Accessed)
ISBN
 
Description
A website containing information on almost 100 species (as of March 2020) of fibre-producing plants that are used in paper making in eastern Asia. An excellent and developing resource.
].

Being increasingly grown as a source of biomass, trials are currently (1992) taking place on its potential in Britain[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring in a greenhouse and keep moist. Germination should take place within a couple of weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring or early autumn[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Very easy, large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-06. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Miscanthus+sinensis>

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