|
White mid-rib on foliage
of
Saccharum officinarum or Sugar Cane or Noble Cane plant |
|
Saccharum officinarum L.
(Sugar cane, Noble Cane) |
Origin: Indo-Maymar China border and New Guinea
Family: Poaceae
Light: Sun-part shade
Height: Up to 15'
Width: 10'
Blooms: Basal tuft of drooping, plume-like silky hair, in
the Fall
Spacing: 6-8'
Foliage: Light green, long, with white mid-rib, overlapping
Soil: Well-drained, with lime added to aid in production of sugar
in cane
Water: Abundant, tolerates occasional flooding
Uses: Specimen, accent, landscaping, fencing, hedge, mass
planting, ornamental
Propagation: Cuttings
Caution: Leaves have saw-like edges, use gloves
Comments: Saccharum officinarum L. or Sugar Cane or Noble Cane is juicy,
has low fiber and high sucrose content. It is a thick cane with a
clumping habit. The canes are segmented and pale yellow in color when ready for harvesting, which is
about 12-20 months
after planting. When harvesting, cut cane as close
to root as possible as that part of the cane is the sweetest. Noble Cane has many uses; it is used in
traditional medicine for many ailments. Liquer, sugar, Cane sugar,
cane syrup, molasses and rum are made from sugar cane. Saccharum barberi
is the hardy north Indian type cane while Saccharum sinese is the
Chinese type cane.
USDA Hardiness Zones
: 6-10 |
