Taxonomic name: Miscanthus sinensis Anderss.
Synonyms: Eulalia japonica Trin., Miscanthus condensatus Hack., Miscanthus purpurascens Anderss., Miscanthus sinensis f.glaber Honda, Miscanthus sinensis var. condensatus (Hack) Makino, Miscanthus sinensis var. formosanus Hack., Miscanthus sinensis var.gracillimus Hitchc., Miscanthus sinensis var.purpurascens (Anderson) Matsum., Miscanthus sinensis var.variegatus Beal, Miscanthus sinesis var.zebrinus Beal, Saccharum japonicum Thunb., Xiphagrostis condensatus (Hack) W. Wight
Common names: chinese fairy grass (Germany), chinese silver grass (English), Chinesisches Stielbluetengras (German), eulalia (English-Australia), eulalia grass (English), Gemeines Chinaschilf (German-Germany), japanese silver grass (English), maiden grass (English), miscanthus, pampas grass (English), plume grass (English), prachtriet (Netherlands), Schilfras (German-Germany), susuki (Japanese-Japan), zebra grass (English)
Organism type: grass Originially introduced from Asia in the nursery trade, Miscanthus sinensis is one of the most common ornamental plants. Its height and fast growth enable it to eclipse native vegetation growing close to the soil surface. Although it has not caused as much damage as some invasive grasses, its ability to inhabit disturbed areas and its popularity as an ornamental species make it a serious threat to native flora. Description
Miscanthus sinensis is a robust perennial plant that can reach up to 3m (10 feet) in height. It is usually found in large clumps. It consists of long arching branches and leaves that spread or droop. The leaves can be up to a metre (3 feet) long and 25mm (1 inch) wide. Each leaf has a silvery-white midrib with sharp tips that are re-curving. (USDA Forest Service, 2006). Mature plants have large, showy, feather-like flowers appearing in Sept.-Oct. It has very short, inconspicuous rhizomes. (Meyer, 2003(a)). Pinkish-silvery 8-10'' plumes remain into the winter. M. sinensis turns a rich golden brown in the winter and the colour persists throughout the season. (Gilman, 1999). "The fan-shaped terminal panicle is 15cms to 60cms (6 to 24 inches) long and can be silvery to pale pink in colour. The branches of the panicle are erect or ascending. These panicles reach full maturity in the fall. The glabrous spikelets are very small, yellow-brown in colour and encircled at the base with white or purple-coloured hairs. The fertile lemma contains an awn that is spirally twisted at its base." (USDA Forest Service, 2006). The seeds are yellowish brown to slightly reddish, sparsely hairy, and have a twisted tip. They occur from September to January and have membranous husks with a hidden grain. (Miller, 2003) Similar Species
Andropogon gerardii, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Saccharum giganteum
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Occurs in:
ruderal/disturbed, urban areas Habitat description
Miscanthus sinensis can adapt to several different habitats, but prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil to attain maximum growth potential. (The Bugwood Network et al, 2003). Plants can tolerate cold climates, but do not grow well in humid, hot southern climates. Horticulturalists claim that the plant can live between USDA hardiness zones 5-9, able to survive temperatures as low as -26°C (-14.8 F). (USDA Forest Service, 2006). Once established, M. sinensis can tolerate a variety of poor conditions, including soils of various pH, compacted soils, nutrient poor soils, heat, and drought. (OSU, undated). The plant doesn't survive in soil with a high salt content. (Gilman, 1999) M. sinensis is intolerant of shade but can be found in sparsley forested areas and small sunlit openings. Common in many natural and disturbed areas, M. sinensis is often found on abandoned home sites, roadsides, forest edges, sides of reservoirs, and in old fields following fires. (The Bugwood Network et al, 2003). General impacts
D'Antonio and Vitousek (1992) report that fast growing grasses (M. sinensis) can reduce the photosynthetic capability of competitors by reducing light availability at the soil surface. In Japan, M. sinensis colonized abandoned fields, reducing the regeneration or encroachment of oak seeds by reducing the light availability and daily carbon gain by oak seedlings.M. sinensis is known to carry several pathogens, including barley yellow dwarf luteovirus-MAV, barley yellow dwarf luteovirus-PAV, and cereal yellow dwarf luteovirus. (Harris et al, 2000). Uses
Miscanthus sinensis is most commonly used as an ornamental plant. (ARS-GRIN, 2005). As an ornamental, it is used as a mass planter, yard border, privacy screen, container or above-ground planter, or as an accent. (Gilman, 1999). It has the potential to be used as biomass for energy production. (ARS-GRIN, 2005). The flowers of M. sinensis can be used for dyeing. (MSUE, 1999). M. sinensis has been found to slow runoff in areas with concentrated flow erosion from agricultural fields. After 4 years, researchers found that M. sinensis had 20cms to 38cms ( 8-15 inches) of sedimentation deposits above the plants. (Ritchie et al, 2006). M. sinensis is appreciated for its winter appearance, including: persistent fruits, a showy trunk, and an overall golden brown colour. (Gilman, 1999). Geographical range
Native range: Russian Federation, China, Japan, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, Philippines, and Indonesia.
Known introduced range: United States, Australia. Introduction pathways to new locations
For ornamental purposes: M. sinensis was introduced from Asia about a century ago for ornamental plantings. (Swearingenet al, 2002) Management information
Physical: Digging out the root system, especially the entire rhizome, is a proven method for removing individual plants. (Meyer, 2003(a)). USDA Forest Service (2006) warns that digging out plants will probably result in resprouts and would need further treatment. Cutting and disking methods may also result in increased dispersal due to rhizome pieces that are cast into uninhabited areas. Meyer (2003(a)) also recommends looking for flowers in the fall and removing them early to eliminate self-seeding. Removing the seed head also helps curb seed bank deposits and control plant spread. (Meyer, 2003(a)). Repeated mowing, as short as possible throughout the summer may kill M. sinensis in as few as 2 seasons. Areas with a larger seed bank will take longer. M. sinensis cannot tolerate repeated mowing during growth season, however, dormant stage cutting of plants may increase growth if cuttings are removed. Grazing has proved to be a successful management tool in Japan, stopping the plant's growth by allowing cattle, horses, and sheep to graze on M. sinensis in the beginning of June. Burning increases growth, vigor, and seedset of M. sinensis. "Burning should only be done as a management practice when it can be followed by chemical control". (Meyer, 2003(a)). Proposed ideas to develope sterile froms of M. sinensis could be a great solution to the green industry and for commercial selling of plants. (Li et al, 2004).
Chemical/Mechanical: Late winter/early spring: remove previous year's growth by cutting or burning entire plant to ground. This enables higher chemical control efficiency. When growth is 12'' tall, spray with glyphosate (Meyer, 2003(a)) or imazapyr. (USDA Forest Service, 2006). Allow the plant to die and cut dead foliage back to ground. If previous year's growth still exists, wait until plant reaches 12-24'' prior to spraying. Repeat spraying if necessary in late summer or fall when regrowth is 12'' tall. An abundant amount of green foliage is necessary for effective chemical control. (Meyer, 2003(a)). Miller (2003) recommends Arsenal AC as a one percent solution for control of M. sinensis, or a combination of glyphosate and arsenal AC. In the fall, a 2% solution of Roundup or 1% solution of fusilade should be effective against M. sinensis. In the spring, apply a 4% solution of Roundup or 2% solution of fusilade. (Morisawa, 1999). M. sinensis can tolerate a high intensity of salt spray at an inland position. In one study, the salt spray combined with sandblasting limited the establishment of many grasses to the dune and beach area. Sandblasting was found to regulate the establishment of M. sinensis near beaches. (Yura & Ogura, 2006). Reproduction
Miscanthus sinensis reproduces primarily through rhizomes, however it does make seeds which are mainly dispersed by wind. (USDA Forest Service, 2006). Large buildup of seeds in seed banks can also lead to further establishment of M. sinensis. (Meyer, 2003(a)).
Compiled by: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
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Last Modified: Friday, May 04, 2007
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