Cogon grass

Imperata cylindrica
Imperata cylindrica in Susami, Wakayama, Japan with mature seed heads
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Imperata
Species:	I. cylindrica
Binomial name
Imperata cylindrica (L.) P.Beauv.
Synonyms
See text

See text

Imperata cylindrica (commonly known as cogon grass /koʊˈɡoʊn/, kunai grass /ˈkuːnaɪ/, blady grass, alang-alang, cotton wool grass, kura-kura) is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. Red cultivars of the species grown as ornamental plants are known as Japanese bloodgrass.

It is a perennial rhizomatous grass native to east and southeast Asia, India, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australia, and eastern and southern Africa. It grows from 0.6 to 3 m (2 to 10 feet) tall. The leaves are about 2 cm wide near the base of the plant and narrow to a sharp point at the top; the margins are finely toothed and are embedded with sharp silica crystals. The main vein is a lighter colour than the rest of the leaf and tends to be nearer to one side of the leaf. The upper surface is hairy near the base of the plant while the underside is usually hairless. Roots are up to 1.2 meters deep, but 0.4 m is typical in sandy soil.

It is used for thatching the roofs of traditional homes throughout south-east Asia.

It is planted extensively for ground cover and soil stabilization near beach areas and other areas subject to erosion. Other uses include paper-making, thatching and weaving into mats and bags. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine.

A number of cultivars have been selected for garden use as ornamental plants, including the red-leaved 'Red Baron', also known as Japanese blood grass.

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Wikipedia