Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis

Common Names

Japanese silvergrass, Chinese silvergrass, susuki (in Japan), miscanthus, often regionally called pampas grass, Japanese pampas grass, wild sugar cane (in Taiwan).

Flower Description

Miscanthus sinensis has showy flowers composed of many small individual flowers, or spikelets. Extending from the spikelet is a needle-like awn; surrounding the spikelet are many hairs, beige, red, or pink in color; these hairs are about the same length as the spikelet. 

Miscanthus sinensis is a bunch or caespitose grass, it does not have invasive rhizomes and forms a large clump. Many ornamental forms or cultivars of this species are grown in gardens and used for landscaping. These ornamental forms when grown individually are usually not invasive in most garden settings. However, this is the form of miscanthus that has invaded much of the Middle Atlantic states and sets seed when grown with other miscanthus cultivars. See the management link for further information. Miscanthus sinensis should only be planted where it can be managed and any seedlings can be removed.