The genus Saccharum has five important species viz.

Saccharum officinarum

• This is one of the original cultivated. It is rich in sucrose.
• Its stalks are vigorous and long with low fibre content. The Dutch scientists called them "noble canes". It has 2n=80 chromosomes. At present they are grown for chewing purpose.

Saccharum sinense

• This is known as "Chinese Cane" as its place of origin is central and south east China.
• It is thin stalked with long internodes, and long and narrow leaves.
• They are low in sucrose and purity, high in fibre and starch.
• The chromosome number is 2n=111 to 120. "Uba" is one of the notable varieties under this species which was in cultivation in several countries.
• At present the species is considered unsuitable for commercial cultivation.

Saccharum barberi

• This species is original canes of subtropical India.
• This is known as "Indian species". It has chromosome numbers 2n=81 to 124.
• These were under large scale cultivation in the subtropical India for manufacture of gur and Khandsari sugar.
• These are sturdier and disease resistant and have higher sugar and fibre contents. They are thin stalked.
• The clones of this species are highly tolerant to high and low temperatures, problem soils and water logged conditions.

Saccharum robustum

• This species was discovered in New Guinea Islands. The stalks are long, thick and vigorous growing.
• It is rich in fibre and poor in sugar. The chromosome number is 2n=60 and 80.
• This is a wild species and not suitable for agricultural production.

Saccharum spontaneum

• This is also known as "wild cane". Its varieties have varying number of chromosomes (2n=40 to 128). Considerable variation is noticed in the morphology of the species.
• In general the cane is very thin and short, the leaves are narrow and hard.
• The plant is very sturdy and resistant to most diseases.
• The species is not useful for sugar production as the sugar content is very low.
• This species is useful for evolving hybrid varieties particularly to obtain disease and stress resistant types.