This is one of the tallest ‘grasses’ in the world. A true giant, it has numerous branches at the nodes with one or two being exceptionally large with many stems tufted onto a stout root stock. Although best known in warm humid temperate areas, it can be easily grown as a pot plant or for impressive summer bedding.
Its young shoots are consumed as food in some parts of China and India and new shoots start growing slowly, but soon grow approximately 30cm per day. Indeed 75 cm in one day has been recorded in Sri Lanka. Its hard wood is also used by Chinese craftsmen in household carpentry, furniture, and boxes.