Saccharum officinarum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAK-er-rum oh-fi-SIN-ar-um
- Description
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Saccharum officinarum produces the highest number of calories per sq. ft. of growing area of any plant in the world and is the source of 70% of the sugar in the world. The sugar is extracted from the stems
Sugar cane probably originated in New Guinea, and was brought to the Americas in 1493 by the explorer Christopher Columbus. It is now grown in more than 70 countries, mostly in the tropics. Approximately half of the world's cane sugar is grown in India and Brazil.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Saccharum
- Species:
- officinarum
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Sugar
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- New Guinea
- 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:
- Stem
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Leaves:
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators