Saccharum ravennae

Saccharum ravennae Ravennagrass
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Saccharum
Species:	S. ravennae
Binomial name
Saccharum ravennae L.
Synonyms
Erianthus ravennae

Saccharum ravennae, with the common name Ravennagrass and locally known as ekra, is a species of grass in genus the Saccharum, the sugarcane genus. It is native to southern Europe and western Asia, and is known in North America as an introduced species, where it is sometimes an invasive and troublesome noxious weed.

Uses

Ravennagrass is a large, aggressive grass that has been sold in nurseries for use as an ornamental grass in gardens, and for stabilizing soil to prevent erosion.

Invasive species

Saccharum ravennae is now established as an invasive species in several parts of North America, including California and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It grows in moist and wet habitat types, such as marshes and riverbanks.

This perennial grass grows in large, dense clumps from a network of rhizomes. It produces erect stems which can reach four meters in height. The serrated leaves are up to a meter long. The inflorescence is a plume-like panicle of spikelets covered in white or pale-colored silky hairs.

External links

• Jepson Manual Treatment
• USDA Plants Profile
• Grass Manual Treatment