Sugarcane Plumegrass
(Saccharum giganteum)
Sugarcane Plumegrass (Saccharum giganteum)
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Sam Kieschnick
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Sam Kieschnick
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Sam Kieschnick | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Sam Kieschnick | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-10-18T10:08:47-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Saccharum giganteum, commonly known as Sugarcane Plumegrass, is a tall, deciduous perennial grass native to wetlands, riverbanks, and open woodlands in the South Central and Southeastern USA, as well as the Caribbean and South America. It can reach up to 10 feet in height and spreads 2-3 feet wide. This grass features a clumping habit with long, narrow leaves and produces showy, feathery flower plumes that can add visual interest to the landscape from late summer to fall. The flowers start off with a purplish hue and mature to a silvery-white, catching the light and moving gracefully in the breeze.
Sugarcane Plumegrass is valued for its tall, dramatic presence and is often used as a focal point in naturalistic plantings, borders, and as a screen. It is also utilized for its soil stabilization properties along waterways. This grass thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade. It prefers moist to wet soils with good drainage but can adapt to drier conditions once established. While generally low-maintenance, it can spread by self-seeding and may require management to prevent unwanted naturalization. It is not known for serious pest or disease issues.CC BY-SA 4.0
Sugarcane Plumegrass is valued for its tall, dramatic presence and is often used as a focal point in naturalistic plantings, borders, and as a screen. It is also utilized for its soil stabilization properties along waterways. This grass thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade. It prefers moist to wet soils with good drainage but can adapt to drier conditions once established. While generally low-maintenance, it can spread by self-seeding and may require management to prevent unwanted naturalization. It is not known for serious pest or disease issues.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 6-10 feet
- Width: 1-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Salt Tolerant, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Wetlands, riverbanks, and open woodlands
Other Names
Common Names: Sugarcane Plume Grass
Scientific Names: Saccharum giganteum , Erianthus giganteus , Erianthus saccharoides , Erianthus compactus , Erianthus tracyi , Erianthus laxus , Andropogon erianthus , Anthoxanthum giganteum , Erianthus giganteus var. compactus , Erianthus giganteus var. giganteus
GBIF Accepted Name: Saccharum giganteum (Walter) Pers.