Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Japanese silver grass is a tall perennial grass native to temperate East Asia, with silvery plumes in late summer and fall. It spreads through underground stems into dense patches that can crowd out other plants. It is commonly called creeping miscanthus in the United States.

Appearance

Growth form: This warm-season perennial grass grows about 6–8 ft (1.8–2.5 m) tall and spreads into dense mats by creeping .
Leaves: The arching leaves are less than 1 in (2.5 cm) wide and have a distinct white .
Flowers: Silky, silver-white plumes appear in late summer and fall. The small flower clusters lack the obvious found on Chinese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis).
Flowering time: In Minnesota, the plumes open from late summer into early fall.

Look-alikes

Chinese silver grassMiscanthus sinensis

Creeping miscanthus spreads by long rhizomes and makes loose colonies rather than tight clumps. Its soft white plumes lack the twisted awns usually present on Chinese silver grass.

Why they get mixed upBoth are tall ornamental grasses with white-striped leaves and showy fall plumes.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: wet roadside ditches
pond edges
open disturbed ground
Range: It is native to temperate East Asia and has been planted in the United States, especially in the Northeast and Midwest. Escaped stands occur in Minnesota, and seed production has been recorded there and in Iowa.
Preferred conditions: It spreads most readily in moist, sunny to partly shaded sites.

Life cycle

Seed dispersal: Wind can move the seeds beyond planted areas.

Growing it

Care: It has been grown as an ornamental in the United States. Minnesota advises against planting it because it readily spreads.
Propagation: Persistent rhizomes are the main way established stands expand into dense mats.

Name and classification

About the name: It has also been called Amur silver grass. The name Japanese silver grass is also used for Chinese silver grass. It was once called Imperata sacchariflora. Its hybrid with Chinese silver grass is Miscanthus × longiberbis.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
Threats: Dense colonies can crowd out other plants in wet disturbed habitats and form nearly single-species stands.

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: Minnesota classifies it as a , so propagation and sale are prohibited there.

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