Pampas grass
Cortaderia selloana
Common pampas grass: Cortaderia selloana
Common name:
Common pampas grassScientific name:
Cortaderia selloana (Poaceae)Alternative common names:
Pampasgras; silwergras (Afrikaans)
Vigorous, tussock grass up to 3,5m in diameter, with flowering stalks up to 4m high. Greyish- or bluish-green leaves with rough margins. Silvery-white to pink or mauve, feathery inflorescences appear from February to April. This grass invades river banks and seasonally wet habitats
Additional Info
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Where does this species come from?
South America (Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and ChileWhat is its invasive status in South Africa?
a. NEMBA – Category 1b b. Sterile cultivars or hybrids are not listed.Where in South Africa is it a problem?
Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and GautengHow does it spread?
This grass spreads by seeds and rhizomesWhy is it a problem?
It forms large clumps which displace smaller indigenous speciesWhat does it look like?
General description: A robust, tussock grass growing up to 3,5m in diameter with flowering stalks reaching 4m high. Leaves: Long slender leaves with narrowly tapering tips and grey or bluish-green in colour, often v-shaped in cross-section with rough margins. Flowers: Feathery silvery-white to pink or mauve flowers appearing from February-April. Fruit/Seeds: Produces from an open panicle, containing a large number of seeds.Does the plant have any uses?
Mostly used as an ornamental and for mine dump stabilizationPlant me instead alternatives
East coast broomgrass (Miscanthus capensis), riverbed grass (Pennisetum macrourum), Cape thatching grass (Chondropetalum tectorum), papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)