Abstract
Imperata cylindrica is recognized as a desirable natural green cover on the face of slopes. As this species has been known to have wide intraspecific variation both morphologically and ecologically, the study was carried out to compare clones with suitable characteristics to be a revegetation plant. Twenty-two clones in our collection from various locations and habitats across Japan were used. Plants were grown in pots and 6 characters, leaf number, plant height, plant length/plant height ratio, amount of underground parts, and sprouting/rooting ability and dry tolerance of rhizome fragments, were evaluated. Although there was no clone that showed high values in all characters in evaluation, some clones were found to have suitable characteristics in shoot growth or reproductive ability of rhizomes. The fact suggested a possibility of selection of clones of Imperata cylindrica desirable for the green cover material.
