Heritage Miscanthus

scanthus is an environmentally friendly crop. Its large root system captures nutrients, and stems provide wildlife cover. As a high yielding, low input perennial, Miscanthus is also excellent for carbon sequestration and soil building. Miscanthus giganteus is a sterile plant established primarily through the planting of rhizomes (shoots) taken from the root ball. Once planted, Miscanthus giganteus requires 2 – 3 years to reach full production potential and has a stand life of about 15 years. Miscanthus giganteus is a C4 plant which has a high photosynthesis efficiency. The normal production cycle of Miscanthus giganteus is a single harvest late in the fall or early spring before new shoots emerge. This allows the nutrients to return to the root system and the plant material to dry to a moisture content of less than 15% prior to harvest. Miscanthus giganteus is harvested using readily available farm equipment.