About Erianthus alopecuroides (L.) Elliott
This grass species is currently classified as Erianthus alopecuroides (L.) Elliott, and is also referred to as Saccharum alopecuroides. It has purplish culms that grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall. Its leaf blades can reach 75 centimeters (30 inches) in length. The species' panicles range in color from white to brown, and measure between 15 and 30 centimeters (0.5 to 1.0 foot) long. Its nodes and internodes are most commonly glabrous. When grains are produced, they are ellipsoid in shape, reddish in color, and between 2 and 3.5 millimeters (0.08 to 0.14 inches) long. This species has fibrous roots. Within the United States, S. alopecuroides occurs from New Jersey to Florida, and extends westward to Texas through Indiana. It grows in fields, within and along the edges of woodlands, and along roadsides.
