Miscanthus

Miscanthus is a genus of about 15 species of perennial grasses native to subtropical and tropical regions of Africa and southern Asia, with one species (M. sinensis) extending north into temperate eastern Asia.

Selected species

• Miscanthus floridulus
• Miscanthus giganteus
• Miscanthus sacchariflorus
• Miscanthus sinensis
• Miscanthus tinctorius
• Miscanthus transmorrisonensis

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Uses

The sterile hybrid between M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus, Miscanthus giganteus or "E-grass", has been trialed as a biofuel in Europe since the early 1980s. It can grow to heights of more than 3.5 m in one growth season. Its dry weight annual yield can reach 25t/ha (10t/acre). It is sometimes called "Elephant Grass" and thus confused with the African grass Pennisetum purpureum, also called "Elephant Grass".

The rapid growth, low mineral content and high biomass yield of Miscanthus make it a favorite choice as a biofuel. After harvest, it can be burned to produce heat and steam for power turbines. The resulting CO₂ emissions are equal to the amount of CO₂ that the plant used up from the atmosphere during its growing phase, and thus the process is greenhouse gas-neutral, if one does not consider any fossil fuels that might have been used in planting, fertilizing, or harvesting the crop, or in transporting the biofuel to the point of use. When mixed in a 50%-50% mixture with coal, it can be used in some current coal-burning power plants without modifications.

M. sinensis is cultivated as an ornamental plant. In Japan, where it is known as susuki(すすき), it is considered an iconic plant of late summer and early autumn. It is mentioned in Man'yōshū (Vol8 1538) as one of the seven autumn herbs (akinonanankusa). It is used for the eighth month in hanafuda playing cards. It is decorated with Bush clover for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Miscanthus has also excellent fiber properties for papermaking.