Lalang cylindrical (Imperata Cylindrica)

Other names: Imperata cylindrical, Japanese blood grass, Bai mao gen

Lalang cylindrical, also Imperata cylindrical or Japanese blood grass, belongs to the lichen family and is a plant native to warm areas of East Asia. It gets its name because of its peculiar colouring - the leaves are green when they emerge in spring, but as it continues to grow, the leaf tips turn a light to deep red. In winter, the leaves turn completely red. The plant grows up to 1.5 metres tall. It was introduced to Europe as an ornamental grass, but in many countries its cultivation is banned as it is an invasive species.

Imperata cylindrica, known in Chinese as Bai mao gen, has significance beyond its decorative function. In China and Japan, its leaves are used to make various products, such as paper and rope. Lalang grass paper is particularly popular for its high strength and durability. Furthermore, the plant is used in medicine, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. Here, the dried root is either used to make a tea for fevers or as a diuretic. It is known to have been used in the past to make medicine to cure shock and nausea. It has also been used to make a weaving or knitting fabric. Because of its hardiness, it is also used as a ground cover plant to prevent soil erosion. Especially in areas with frequent typhoons, it is cultivated as a natural protection against soil drift.