Pampas grass.
Pampas grass.
Pampas is a perennial, tussock-like grass. There are two species - (Cortaderia jubata and Cortaderia selloana). Both have coarse abrasive leaves that are bluish green above and dark-green below, with a conspicuous midrib. It grows 2-3m high and has flowering stems, which can be up to 5m high, have distinctive, erect, fluffy white or pinky-purple flower heads. Pampas may be confused with the three native toe toe species which have more creamy-yellow flower heads. The pampas species also have dead leaf bases which spiral, resembling wood shavings. Pampas inhabits a range of areas including dunelands, plantation forests, quarries, roadsides and disturbed native forests. It will establish most easily in wet, sandy or bare soil and is tolerant of drought once established. Original public domain image from Flickr