Family: Poaceae

Introduced to Hawaiʻi by the Polynesians, sugar cane is a grass with hard stems (stalks) and long blades.  This plant can grow up to 15 ft tall.  The stalks can range in color from a light yellow to dark red.  It thrives in full sun and daily watering is recommended but not necessary.  Sugar cane has many uses in Hawaiian culture, most importantly as a sweetener.  The blades were also used for house-thatching when the more preferred pili grass was not available.

Plant Uses:

• Cultural significance
• Edible
• Privacy / screening

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers