Miscanthus

Miscanthus ( Miscanthus sinensis)

Miscanthus (Greek Miskos = stamp, stem, τὸ ἂνθος to Anthos = " flower ", " flowering ", etc.) to German as " stem flowers grass ", is a plant genus of the family Poaceae ( grasses ), depending on the source comprises 14-20 species. The genus is mainly native to moist meadows and marshes of Africa to East Asia, in particular, there is a number of species in China and Japan. While the miscanthus ( Miscanthus sinensis) is mainly used as an ornamental plant, is the giant miscanthus ( Miscanthus × giganteus) significant energy plant.

Description

The species of the genus are perennial, deciduous or evergreen, tufted or rhizomatous grasses. The reed-like sprouts carry rulers or narrow lanceolate, folded, overhanging leaves, which may be of light or medium green or blue to purple- green in color.

The genus can be easily identified by its inflorescence. The inflorescences consist of dense, arranged terminal, arching panicles, which are formed from the spikelets paired and applied basally long silky hairy. The inflorescences appear in late summer and autumn and wear after long, hot summers propagated flowers.

Use

Also known as the giant miscanthus fast-growing hybrid Miscanthus × giganteus ( from M. sacchariflorus and M. sinensis) has because of its high calorific value and its low carbon footprint favorable conditions for use as a renewable provider of biomass, fuel, building materials or litter in animal husbandry.

As ornamental Miscanthus species are planted as specimen plants or in mixed and herb discounts. Miscanthus is also suitable for planting in borders and waters as a screen for the summer time. The inflorescences can be harvested as cut flowers. The used Miscanthus species are fully hardy to frost-hardy and tolerate almost all culture conditions.

Species list (selection)

  • Miscanthus capensis ( Nees ) Andersson
  • Miscanthus floridulus ( Labillardiere ) Warburg ex K. Schumann & Lauterbach
  • Miscanthus nepalensis ( Trinius ) Hackel
  • Miscanthus oligostachys Stapf
  • Miscanthus purpurascens ( Nees ) Andersson
  • Miscanthus sacchariflorus ( Maximowicz ) Hackel
  • Miscanthus sinensis Andersson
  • Miscanthus transmorrisonensis Hayata
  • Miscanthus tinctorius hack.
  • Miscanthus × giganteus JMGreef & Deuter ex Hodk. & Renvoize

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