Cogongrass, Japanese Blood Grass
Imperata cylindrica

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Form: Upright or erect.

Imperata cylindrica is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

Open sandy habitats, usually by a river or the sea shore in Europe. Commonly found on impoverished soils in Australia.

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Young inflorescence and young shoots - cooked. Root - fibrous but pleasant to chew, containing starch and sugar. Fairly sweet, the taste is sweetest in the wet season in Australia and worst from plants growing in sand. The ash of the plant is used as a salt substitute.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Salt: plants that provide a substitute for salt.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The flowers and the roots are antibacterial, diuretic, febrifuge, sialagogue, styptic and tonic. The flowers are used in the treatment of haemorrhages, wounds etc. They are decocted and used to treat urinary tract infections, fevers, thirst etc. The root is astringent, antifebrile, antivinous, diuretic, emollient, haemostatic, restorative and tonic. It is used in the treatment of nose bleeds, haematuria, haematemesis, oedema and jaundice. The root has antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus dysenteriae etc. A decoction of the root is used as an anthelmintic and also to treat digestive disorders such as indigestion, diarrhoea and dysentery. The root bark is febrifuge, restorative and tonic. Extracts of the plant have shown viricidal and anticancer activity.

Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.

Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.

Antivinous: Treats addiction to alcohol

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Emollient: Softens the skin, causing warmth and moisture.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Restorative: Restores consciousness or normal physiological activity.

Sialagogue: Stimulates the secretion of saliva.

Styptic: An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other

Rating: 0

The leaves are woven to make mats, bags and raincoats. The inflorescences are valued for stuffing pillows and cushions. The stems are used in thatching roofs. A fibre obtained from the leaves is used in making paper. Can be planted on sandy soils to prevent erosion. The plants form impenetrably dense clumps and when planted close together in drifts make an excellent ground cover.

Paper: Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.

Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.

Stuffing: Used in making soft toys, mattresses, pillows etc.

Thatching: Used for making thatched roofs.

Weaving: Items such as grass and palm leaves that are woven together for making mats, baskets etc. See also Basket making and Fibre.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Massing, Rock garden, Specimen. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade. This species is only hardy in the southern part of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -15°c when dormant, though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. The var. I. cylindrica major. (Nees.)C.E.Hubb. is used medicinally in China and as a wild food in Australia. This species is quite closely related to sugar cane, it has been interbred experimentally with that species in India. Plants grow away vigorously after a fire, often spreading freely to infest the burnt areas. Special Features:Attractive foliage, There are no flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in spring in a greenhouse. The seed germinates quickly, prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring as the plant comes into growth. Division is very easy and can be carried out at almost any time in the year, though winter divisions are best potted up in the greenhouse and planted out in late spring.

Best place to grow: Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

I. arundinacea. Miscanthus arundinacea. Saccharum cylindricum.