**5. Description of the main perennial grasses**

#### **5.1. Miscanthus**

#### *5.1.1. Origin and distribution*

It has been largely reported that miscanthus originated in East Asia, where it is found throughout a wide climatic range from tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate areas of Southeast Asia to the Pacific Islands as well as at both high and low altitudes [40]. The genotype widely used in Europe for biomass production is *Miscanthus × giganteus*, a natural hybrid of *Miscanthus sinensis* and *M. sacchariflorus*. This natural hybrid is a giant, perennial warmseason grass native to Asia that is generating much enthusiasm for extremely high yields and very high cold tolerance.

#### *5.1.2. General species description*

*Miscanthus × giganteus* is a sterile hybrid that does not produce viable seed and therefore propagates vegetatively underground through its rhizomes (by planting underground stems). The rhizomatous C4 grass has been considered as a strong candidate as an energy crop due to its potential to deliver high biomass yields (up to 30 ton ha−1) under low input conditions, and its economic as well as environmental benefits [41–44].
