Festuca novae zelandiae
(Hard Tussock)
Festuca novae zelandiae
(Hard Tussock)
Prices:
Each | 20 or more | |
---|---|---|
2.5L Pot | $9.50 | $9.00 |
Details:
Type: | Grass |
Growth Rate: | Medium |
Mature Height: | 0.7 m |
Mature Width: | 0.5 m |
Site Condition: | Coastal, Exposed, Frost Tolerant, Heavy Soil, Loamy Soil, Sandy Soil |
Sun: | Full Sun |
Drainage: | Dry, Moist |
Features: | Drought tolerant. Suitable for bordering or edging. Attractive to insects. Flower colour: Blonde. Foliage colour: Blonde. Fruit colour: Blonde. Native. Suitable restoration species. |
Festuca novae-zelandiae is a fine-leaved tawny tussock, upright in habit. A common component of low tussock grasslands on dry, windy and cold plains in Canterbury & Otago. It is deep rooted and dominant on steep, exposed slopes. In alpine areas at lower altitudes Festuca novae-zelandiae is associated with the narrow-leaved snow tussock (Chionochloa rigida). Stunning grass en masse. Needle thin erect leaves green to blonde. Tolerates poor soil and dry conditions.
The tawny leaves are 15-60cm long and have a width of 0.5-1mm. They are rough to touch and have sharply pointed tips. The margins are tightly in rolled giving the leaf a cylindrical appearance. The flowering stems are up to 70 cm tall with a 5-12 cm long open flowering panicle.
Habitat: Short tussock grasslands. Pre-1900s short tussock grassland covered considerable areas of the eastern South Island from sea level up to between 800 and 900 metres high.
Flowering: Spring [September - November]
Fruiting: Summer [December - February]