Miscanthus sacchariflorus – biofuel parent or new weed?

The perennial grass triploid M iscanthus × giganteus is a promising renewable bioenergy feedstock in the U nited S tates and E urope. Originating from eastern A sia, this species is a sterile hybrid cross between M . sinensis and M . sacchariflorus . While research has begun to examine the impacts of M . sinensis and triploid M . × giganteus on the landscape, M . sacchariflorus has been largely overlooked in the peer‐reviewed literature. This review article discusses the origin, uses, distribution, and invasive potential of M . sacchariflorus . M . sacchariflorus is capable of producing high yields (10.7 t DM ha −1  yr −1 ), generally does not reproduce by seed, and can be challenging to establish due to poor cold tolerance, likely due to the limited germplasm used in evaluations. However, M . sacchariflorus has abundant and aggressively spreading rhizomes, which underscores its invasive risk. In the U nited S tates, it is listed as escaped from cultivation in at least eight states, primarily in the M idwest, although it is likely that not all populations have been reported. As such, it is essential to generate a comprehensive dataset of all known M . sacchariflorus populations and monitor any continued spread of this species.