Pacific Island Silvergrass
Miscanthus floridulus
- Native to:
- Bismarck Archipelago, Caroline Is., China, Cook Is., Fiji, Gilbert Is., Guam, Hainan, Japan, Jawa, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Marquesas, Marshall Is., Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Niue, Palau, Philippines, Samoa, Society Is., Solomon Is., Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tonga, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis-Futuna Is.
Tauʻolunga
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Miscanthus
- Species:
- Miscanthus floridulus
- USDA Symbol:
- MIFL3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, silver
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
rice leafroller (Cnaphalocrocis trapezalis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan, bronze
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire; tolerates periodic burning typical of grassland management.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in fertile, organic-rich environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light and warm temperatures (20-25°C) for optimal germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI