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Saccharum officinarum is often confused with:
Erianthus giganteus Form
Native alternative(s) for Saccharum officinarum:
Erianthus giganteus Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Andropogon gyrans Form in fall
Erianthus alopecuroides Form in September in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
Panicum amarum Panicum amarum Elliott var. amarulum

Sugar Cane Saccharum officinarum

Phonetic Spelling
SAK-er-rum oh-fi-SIN-ar-um
Description

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:
Tags:
#edible plant#skipper butterflies#pollinator plant#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#common wood-nymph butterfly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible plant#skipper butterflies#pollinator plant#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#common wood-nymph butterfly#wildlife friendly
  • 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
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators