Cortaderia

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iCortaderia
Cortaderia selloana
Cortaderia selloana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Cortaderia
Stapf
Species

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Cortaderia is a genus of 20-25 species of grasses, native to South America (15-20 species), New Zealand (four species) and New Guinea (one species).

Selected species

[edit] Cultivation

The species of Cortaderia are imposing tall grasses growing 1.5-3 m tall, with graceful white inflorescence plumes. They are in widespread use as ornamental plants in horticultural use. The common name Pampas Grass, though strictly referring to C. sellowana, is frequently applied to all species in the genus (and sometimes also, incorrectly, to Erianthus and Saccharum ravennae).

Some species, notably C. selloana, C. jubata and C. rudiuscula, have become invasive species in a number of areas, including New Zealand, coastal California, Hawaii, and some other areas. In these areas, planting of any non-native species of Cortaderia should be avoided.

[edit] References

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