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The tall stout stems on this species grow to 20 ft (6 m).
The canes are 2 in (5 cm) thick and very juicy, and bear
lance-shaped leaves up to 6 ft (1.8 m) long and 2 1/2 in (6 cm) wide
with rough edges.
The flower plumes are slender and arching, up to 3 ft (1 m) long.
Each individual flower spikelet is 1/8 in (3 mm) long and enveloped
with long silky hairs. This grass is widely cultivated in tropical
areas as the main commercial source of sugar.
Cultivation: They need full sun rich, summer-moist soil and can
become invasive under suitable conditions.
They are usually propagated from cuttings.
Folk Medicine:Reported to be antidote, antiseptic, antivinous,
bactericide, cardiotonic, demulcent, diuretic, intoxicant, laxative,
pectoral, piscicide, refrigerant, and stomachic. It is a folk remedy
for arthritis, bedsores, boils, cancer, colds, cough, diarrhea,
dysentery, eyes, fever, hiccups, inflammation, laryngitis, opacity,
penis, skin, sores, sore throat, spleen, tumors, and wounds .
Powdered sugar is used as a 'drawing' agent for granulations and
"proud flesh" . The pulped sugar cane is used to dress wounds, and
the cane for splints for broken bones; the Malay women use it in
childbirth. A decoction of the root of the race of 'tebu lanjong' is
used for whooping cough; and the cane juice is given for catarrh. It
is used in elephant medicine; the juice is used to 'make an elephant
sagacious', and in a poultice for sprains . In India, the plant as
well as its juices are used for abdominal tumors.
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