Austroderia richardii

Austroderia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Danthonioideae
Tribe: Danthonieae
Genus: Austroderia
Species: A. richardii
Binomial name
Austroderia richardii
(Endl.) N.P.Barker et H.P.Linder

Austroderia richardii, syn. Cortaderia richardii, is a species of flowering plant in the family Poaceae. The genus Austroderia is often called "pampas grass", though this name usually refers to A. selloana. The name "tussock grass" may also be found. The Maori name is "toe toe" or "toetoe".

A. richardii is one of 5 species in the genus Austroderia that are endemic to New Zealand. It occurs in the South Island and possibly also in the North Island.[1] It is also an introduced species in Tasmania, Australia.[2]

It is an evergreen perennial grass, widely cultivated in temperate regions for its plumes of silvery white inflorescences that appear in summer and last until well into winter, and grow to 60 cm (24 in). Like its relatives it is much used in dried flower arrangements.[3] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]

References

  1. "Growing location and species detail".
  2. "Australian Introduction of toetoe".
  3. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  4. "RHS Plant Selector - Cortaderia richardii". Retrieved 17 July 2013.