Saccharum sinense

Roxb.

Chinese cane, Chinese sugarcane, Indian cane

Poaceae Edible: Sap 42 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Saccharum sinense or Saccharum × sinense, synonym Saccharum × barberi, sugarcane, is strong-growing species of grass (Poaceae) in the genus Saccharum. It originated in India and was originally cultivated in Northern India and China, where it is still commonly grown. It is a more primitive form of sugarcane with a hybrid origin from Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum species of cane. A number of clones exists that are often included in the S. officinarum species as the Pansahi group. The most notable member of which is the Uba variety of cane. They are a perennial plant that grows in erect clumps that can reach up to 5 meters in height and have a red cane with a diameter of 15 mm to 30 mm.

Description

A grass which keeps its leaves. It grows 2-4 m tall. The stems are about 2.5-5 cm across. The leaves are rough. The flowers are small and feathery and at the top of the plant.

Edible Uses

The sap is used to make sugar, and the stems are chewed fresh for their sweet juice. Freshly squeezed juice is commonly sold at street corners.

Traditional Uses

The sap is used for sugar. The stems are chewed for their sweet juice.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, China*, Cuba, India, Indochina, Japan, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, West Indies,

Cultivation

The plant can be grown in lowland areas of the tropics and subtropics, at elevations from sea level to 300 metres. It grows best in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 1,000 - 1,500mm, but can tolerate 750 - 5,000mm. It prefers mean annual temperatures within the range 20 - 32°c, tolerating 12 - 38°c. Plants can survive light frosts. Requires a sunny position. Succeeds in most well-drained soils. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, but can tolerate 4.5 - 7.5.

Other Uses

A wax obtained from the stems resembles carnauba wax. It is used in the production of furniture, shoe, and leather polishes, electrical insulating material, and waxed paper. The sweet sap from the stems can be manufactured into alcohol for used as a fuel in infernal combustion engines. The stems are a source of fibre used for making paper. Bagasse is the residue of the cane after the sugar is extracted. It is used as a fuel and for the manufacture of fibreboard, paper pulp, plastic, furfural, and cellulose.

Other Information

The freshly squeezed juice is sold on street corners. It is cultivated.

Synonyms

Saccharum barberi Jesw.and others

Also Known As

Cheni kabbu, Ganna, Kyan, Paoqqyul, Ukh, Zhongguo zhong

References (14)

Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 536
Bodner, C. C. and Gereau, R. E., 1988, A Contribution to Bontoc Ethnobotany. Economic Botany, 43(2): 307-369
Cobley, L.S. (rev. Steele, W.M.) 2nd Ed., 1976, An Introduction to the Botany of Tropical Crops. Longmans. p 66 (As Saccharum barberi)
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 179 (As Saccharum sinense)
Fu, Yongneng, et al, 2003, Relocating Plants from Swidden Fallows to Gardens in Southwestern China. Economic Botany, 57(3): 389-402

Show all 14 references

Hani Medicine of Xishuangbanna, 1999, p 555
Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 296
Miguel, E., et al, 1989, A checklist of the cultivated plants of Cuba. Kulturpflanze 37. 1989, 211-357 (Also as Saccharum barberi)
Pl. Coromandel 3: t. 232. 1815
Purseglove, J.W., 1972, Tropical Crops. Monocotyledons. Longmans p 219
Purseglove, J.W., 1972, Tropical Crops. Monocotyledons. Longmans p 217 (As Saccharum barberi)
Simmonds, N.W., 1979, Sugarcane, in Simmonds N.W.,(ed), Crop Plant Evolution. Longmans. London. p 104
Tanaka,
Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 602 (As Saccharum barberi)