Bush Sugarcane, Wheat Spear Grass, Giant spear grass
Heteropogon triticeus
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
A large grass. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 2-3 m high. It forms loose tussocks. The stems are 2-3 m tall. The leaves are 5-12 cm long by 0.3-0.4 cm wide. The flower spikes are 5-15 cm long. The male spikelets are 1-2 cm long and the female spikelets are 0.6-0.8 cm long.
There are about 12 Heteropogon species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in open forest and woodlands. It requires sun and well drained soil.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, China, East Timor, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The stems are broken into pieces and chewed for the sweet juice.
Edible parts
Stems
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the clump.
Its other names
Local names
Indaing-myauk-ni, Pitarika, Spear grass