Miscanthus giganteus, giant miscanthus, is an perennial erect, warm-season grass that is a very cold-tolerant. It will develop leaves at temperatures below 50°F, and its root system can survive winters with temperatures below -10°F. It looks like a loose bunchgrass, with stems that are 5–12 ft tall with very deep roots.
Foliage
The wide deep green leaves grow from 8-12 ft (2.4-3.7 m) long.
Flowers
The flowers are held above the foliage and are about 12 in (30 cm) long. It blooms from September through until frost.
Fruit
M. giganteus is a sterile hybrid so it produces no seed. This means it must be propagated vegetatively through rhizome fragments.
Ecological Threat
M. giganteus is being grown in many areas as a biofuel. Although it began as a sterile hybrid which would help to limit its spread, fertile varieties are being developed. Fertile seed might allow it to escape cultivation more easily.