Miscanthus

Miscanthus
Miscanthus sinensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Supertribe: Andropogonodae
Tribe: Andropogoneae
Subtribe: Saccharinae
Genus: Miscanthus
Andersson (1855)
Type species
Miscanthus capensis
(Nees) Andersson
Synonyms
  • Diandranthus L.Liu (1997)
  • Rubimons B.S.Sun (1997)
  • Sclerostachya (Andersson ex Hack.) A.Camus (1922)
  • Triarrhena (Maxim.) Nakai (1950)
  • Xiphagrostis Coville ex Safford (1905)

Miscanthus, or silvergrass, is a genus of African, Eurasian, and Pacific Island plants in the grass family, Poaceae. The name is derived from the Greek words "miskos", meaning "stem", and "anthos", meaning "flower", in reference to the stalked spikelets on plants of this genus. Several species are known for their height and biomass production, and may be used as ornamental grasses.