Giant Miscanthus (an "energy cane") is a perennial warm season grass in the sugarcane? complex that has considerable potential as a biomass crop in North Carolina to supply feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production and for gasification to gasoline processing. Giant Miscanthus has been bred to be sexually sterile and therefore propagates via asexual rhizomes?.

Rhizomes are used to establish new stands and are planted in early spring. Some production will be realized the first growing season but the main objective is to get the plants established for many years of production. During the second year, the plants will be in large clumps and the canes grow to 12 to 15 feet in height. As temperatures cool in the fall, the dark green foliage fades to buff and drops, leaving the stems for harvest. Harvest is accomplished using commercially available hay harvesting equipment.

Giant Miscanthus is characterized as having broad adaptability, high water and fertilizer use efficiency, excellent pest resistance, and tremendous biomass production. Research at NC State University is underway to evaluate the performance of these crops across North Carolina, develop production practices and recommendations, breed and develop improved varieties, and improve efficiency of bio-processing and cellulosic ethanol conversion.

Also see Miscanthus.