This is an even more robust plant than sinensis, generally taller (1.5-4 m versus 0.6-2 m), with wider blades (1.5-4 cm versus 0.6-2 cm) and longer rachises (25-40 cm versus 6-15 cm), but smaller spikelets (3-3.5 mm long versus 3.5-7 mm); 2n = 38 typically in both species but there are dysploids and triploids reported (FNA 25). M. floridulus is an increasingly widespread ornamental that has not yet been reported as naturalized in North America, but colls. filed under sinensis should be rechecked. Some colls. mapped here as sinensis (e.g. from JOHN at MDKY) may be at least transitional to floridulus. But in Mo., plants previously referred to floridulus (St) are now considered closer to sinensis (Y). Apparent hybrids have been reported but there has been little definitive research on potential intergradation (Sun et al. 2010). Also, there has probably been confusion with some cultivars or hybrids of sinensis known as "giganteus"; see notes under sinensis.