Miscanthus × giganteus

taxobox |name = Miscanthus × giganteus |image = Miscanthus Bestand.JPG |regnum = Plantae |unranked_divisio = Angiosperms |unranked_classis = Monocots |unranked_ordo = Commelinids |ordo = Poales |familia = Poaceae |subfamilia = Panicoideae |genus = Miscanthus |species = M. × giganteus |binomial = Miscanthus × giganteus |binomial_authority = J.M.Greef , Deuter ex Hodk., Renvoize 2001 |synonyms_ref= |synonyms = Miscanthus × changii Y.N.Lee Miscanthus × latissimus Y.N.Lee Miscanthus × longiberbis (Hack.) Nakai Miscanthus × longiberbis var. changii (Y.N.Lee) Ibaragi & H.Ohashi Miscanthus × longiberbis f. ogiformis (Honda) Ibaragi Miscanthus matsumurae var. longiberbis Hack. Miscanthus × ogiformis Honda Miscanthus oligostachyus subsp. longiberbis (Hack.) T.Koyama Miscanthus sacchariflorus var. brevibarbis (Honda) Adati Miscanthus sinensis 'Giganteus' Miscanthus × giganteus, also known as the giant miscanthus, is a sterile hybrid of Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus. It is a perennial grass with bamboo-like stems that can grow to heights of 3– in one season (from the third season onwards). Just like Pennisetum purpureum, Arundo donax and Saccharum ravennae, it is also called elephant grass. Miscanthus × giganteus' perennial nature, its ability to grow on marginal land, its water efficiency, non-invasiveness, low fertilizer needs, significant carbon sequestration and high yield have sparked significant interest among researchers, with some arguing that it has "ideal" energy crop properties. Some argue that it can provide negative emissions, while others highlight its water cleaning and soil enhancing qualities. There are practical and economic challenges related to its use in the existing, fossil based combustion infrastructure, however. Torrefaction and other fuel upgrading techniques are being explored as countermeasures to this problem. Miscanthus × giganteus is mainly used as raw material for solid biofuels. It can be burned directly, or processed further into pellets or briquettes.