Sugarcane, Purple Sugar Cane

Saccharum officinarum

Physical Characteristics

Saccharum officinarum is a PERENNIAL growing to 6 m (19ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Distribution

Originated in cultivation.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Sap Stem Edible Uses: Drink Sweetener The stems contain a very sweet sap[46 ]. They are crushed to extract this sap, which is then used in a variety of ways. It can be used as a sweet, refreshing drink, though it is more commonly concentrated to make syrups or dried to make sugar, molasses etc[46 ]. The core of fresh stems is chewed as a sweet refreshment[301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Urinary The leaf ash is used to treat sore eyes[311 ]. The stem juice is used to treat sore throats[311 ]. The sweet juice in the stem is used to treat snakebite and wounds from poison arrows[348 ]. Mixed with an infusion of 'wallaba' (Eperua sp.) it is used to treat curare poisoning[348 ] A decoction of the young leaves is used to treat urinary conditions[348 ].

Known Hazards

Leaves and sheaths of some varieties are covered with a large number of siliceous hairs. These hairs penetrate the skin of cane cutters and are most unpleasant; hence cane cutters prefer varieties with few hairs or burnt cane[418 ]. (Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling )