Saccharum is a genus of tall perennial plants of the broomsedge tribe within the grass family.[5]
| Saccharum | |
|---|---|
| |
| Saccharum officinarum[3] | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Panicoideae |
| Supertribe: | Andropogonodae |
| Tribe: | Andropogoneae |
| Subtribe: | Saccharinae |
| Genus: | Saccharum L. |
| Type species | |
| Saccharum officinarum | |
| Synonyms[4] | |
| |
The genus is widespread across tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions in Africa, Eurasia, Australia, the Americas, and assorted oceanic islands. Several species are cultivated and naturalized in areas outside their native habitats.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
Saccharum includes the sugarcanes. They have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks that are generally rich in sugar, and measure two to six m (6 to 19 ft) tall. All sugarcane species interbreed and the major commercial cultivars are complex hybrids.
As of September 2021[update], Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[4]
Placed in Lasiorhachis by Plants of the World Online as of September 2021[update]:[14]
Placed in Tripidium by Plants of the World Online as of September 2021[update]:[15]
Numerous species are now considered better suited in other genera: Andropogon, Chloris, Digitaria, Eriochrysis, Eulalia, Gynerium, Hemarthria, Imperata, Lophopogon, Melinis, Miscanthus, Panicum, Pappophorum, Paspalum, Perotis, Pogonatherum, Pseudopogonatherum, Spodiopogon, and Tricholaena.[6]
