Saccharum officinarum (Sugarcane)

'Sugarcane' is the principal source of sugar. They are called industrial plants since the entire sugar industry is dependent on them. The best production of sugarcane is in tropics, cultivated chiefly in India, Cuba, Brazil, Philippines, Australia and U.S.A. Its botanical name is 'Saccharum officinarum'; it belongs to the family 'Poaceae'. The plant is a strong cane-stemmed grass from 8-12' height; the stem is solid and jointed. At the terminal the stem produces a large feathery inflorescence. The expressed juice from the stem is boiled down, crystallised and refined and the end product is called 'sugar'. The refuse of the sugarcane mill has been recommended as a paper material. The root of the sugarcane is said to have been employed in medicine and is considered to be demulcent and diuretic. Leaves are employed as fodder.