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Summary
Form: Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics
Imperata cylindrica is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
I. arundinacea. Miscanthus arundinacea. Saccharum cylindricum.
Habitats
Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Root Shoots
Edible Uses: Salt
Young inflorescence and young shoots - cooked[177, 179]. Root - fibrous but pleasant to chew, containing starch and sugar[144, 177, 179]. Fairly sweet, the taste is sweetest in the wet season in Australia and worst from plants growing in sand[193]. The ash of the plant is used as a salt substitute[177].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic Antibacterial Antivinous Astringent Cancer Diuretic Dysentery Emollient
Febrifuge Restorative Sialagogue Styptic Tonic Urinary
The flowers and the roots are antibacterial, diuretic, febrifuge, sialagogue, styptic and tonic[147, 176, 178]. The flowers are used in the treatment of haemorrhages, wounds etc[218]. They are decocted and used to treat urinary tract infections, fevers, thirst etc[147, 218]. The root is astringent, antifebrile, antivinous, diuretic, emollient, haemostatic, restorative and tonic[218, 240]. It is used in the treatment of nose bleeds, haematuria, haematemesis, oedema and jaundice[176]. The root has antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus dysenteriae etc[176]. A decoction of the root is used as an anthelmintic and also to treat digestive disorders such as indigestion, diarrhoea and dysentery[272]. The root bark is febrifuge, restorative and tonic[218]. Extracts of the plant have shown viricidal and anticancer activity[218].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Paper Soil stabilization Stuffing Thatching Weaving
The leaves are woven to make mats, bags and raincoats[46, 61, 193]. The inflorescences are valued for stuffing pillows and cushions[272]. The stems are used in thatching roofs[46, 61, 178, 272]. A fibre obtained from the leaves is used in making paper[46, 61, 154]. Can be planted on sandy soils to prevent erosion[154, 272]. The plants form impenetrably dense clumps and when planted close together in drifts make an excellent ground cover[200].
Special Uses
Ground cover
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Massing, Rock garden, Specimen. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade[162, 187]. This species is only hardy in the southern part of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -15°c when dormant[187], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. The var. I. cylindrica major. (Nees.)C.E.Hubb. is used medicinally in China[176] and as a wild food in Australia[193]. This species is quite closely related to sugar cane, it has been interbred experimentally with that species in India[193]. Plants grow away vigorously after a fire, often spreading freely to infest the burnt areas[144, 193]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, There are no flowers or blooms.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - surface sow in spring in a greenhouse. The seed germinates quickly, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring as the plant comes into growth. Division is very easy and can be carried out at almost any time in the year, though winter divisions are best potted up in the greenhouse and planted out in late spring[K].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(L.)Raeusch.
Botanical References
50200
Links / References
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