Purple Sugarcane Saccharum arundinaceum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Tripidium arundinaceum
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAK-er-um a-run-din-uh-SEE-um
- Description
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Purple Sugarcane is a large, clump-forming, perennial, ornamental grass in the large family of flowering plants commonly known as true grasses. It is native to tropical and subtropical Asia, with showy purple flowers that appear in the fall. It is among the hardiest of the sugarcanes and is evergreen in warm climates. It will die back to the ground in winter in cold climates, but will come back in spring. Despite its common name, it is not edible or a source for sugar.
Purple Sugarcane does best in full to partial sun in moist, well-drained, soil. It is cold hardy, but does not tolerate standing water.
Take care in handling Purple Sugarcane. The leaves and sheaths of some varieties are covered with a large number of siliceous hairs, as well as spines and sharp edges, that can penetrate the skin.
Purple Sugarcane flowers late in the season, which means it will not typically naturalize around your yard. It is a large plant, about 10 feet high with clumps that can spread up to 15 feet, so be sure to find an appropriate space with plenty of sun. Propagate this plant easily by division.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Susceptible to insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Saccharum
- Species:
- arundinaceum
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Fibers and stems used to make "Munj fiber" which can endure moisture without rotting. Cloth, cordage, ropes, mats, thatching, small furniture, paper, and dip pens use this material.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- India, southern China, Korea, Viet Nam, Laos
- Wildlife Value:
- This is a larval host plant that supports various skipper larvae and Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) which have one brood from late May to October. Adult Common Wood-Nymph butterflies feed on rotting fruit and flower nectar.
- Edibility:
- Not a source for sugar.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Prickles
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Description:
- Seed heads on plumes from mid fall to late winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Description:
- Purple flowers spikes appear in fall and are 2 to 3 feet above the grass.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Long, gray-green leaves with pale purple-pink pampas-like plumes 2 to 3 feet tall in fall. The ends of the leaves have a drooping quality
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
