Saccharum giganteum (Sugarcane Plumegrass); is a new plant for me. I took out my grass ID book as soon as I could after spotting this stunning inflorescence. It turns out that the author thought this was an attractive plant as well because I found that it was on the cover!
This grass is a close relative to Sugar Cane and is a native to Florida. I found it growing on the edges and in the middle of a small wetland in Alachua County. In case it is not apparent in the picture; the plumes of this grass are from 6 to 8 feet tall and a dark purple. Later in the season I will try to collect the seed and see if the seed is viable.
As far as I know, this plant is not commercially available but if I owned land with a wetland I would want this plant growing in it!
