MISCANTHUS

genus of about eight species of tall perennial grasses in the family Poaceae, native primarily to southeastern Asia. Eulalia (M. sinensis) and two other species sometimes are grown as lawn or border ornamentals for their silvery or white, plumelike flower clusters. The leaves of several varieties have yellow or white stripes or bands. The dried heads often are used in decoration. Eulalia also is the botanical name for a genus of perennial grasses that includes browntop (E. fulva), an important forage plant in Australia, Malaysia, and Southeast Asia.