Pampas-grass (Cortaderia selloana, Syn. Mitteleur. Fl. 2(1): 325 (1900))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Schult. & Schult.f.) Asch. & Graebn.

Bibliography: Syn. Mitteleur. Fl. 2(1): 325 (1900)

Year: 1900

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cortaderia

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Bolivia to S. Brazil and S. South America

Description

Pampas-grass (Cortaderia selloana) is an eye-catching, ornamental grass known for its impressive and feathery plumes. A member of the Poaceae family, this species adds a distinctive architectural presence to landscapes and gardens. The towering plumes, often white or silver, can reach heights of up to three meters, creating a visually striking and elegant display.

Pampas-grass is native to South America, with its natural habitat stretching from Bolivia through southern Brazil to the southern regions of the continent. This wide geographical range highlights the plant’s adaptability to various climatic conditions, particularly favoring open grasslands and coastal regions.

Described scientifically in the early 20th century (1900), the grass has been a subject of botanical interest for its robust structure and aesthetic appeal. It has been noted by botanists Schultes and Schultes, later classified by Ascherson and Graebner, recognizing its unique characteristics and contribution to the diversity of the Poaceae family.

While its ornamental use is popular, caution is advised as Pampas-grass can become invasive outside its native range. Its prolific seed production and ability to thrive in different environments may lead to the displacement of local flora. Gardeners and landscapers often manage this risk by removing seed heads before they mature.

In addition to its ornamental value, Pampas-grass has practical applications. It’s often used for erosion control due to its dense root system, which stabilizes soil effectively. Its stiff blades, while attractive, are also known for their sharp edges, necessitating care when handling.

In summary, Cortaderia selloana, or Pampas-grass, is a striking and versatile plant that enhances gardens and landscapes with its bold presence. However, mindful cultivation is essential to prevent its potential invasive spread, thereby ensuring that its beauty does not overshadow ecological stability.

Common Names

Ita: erba dela pampa
Fra: herbe de la pampa
Eng: pampas-grass, uruguayan pampas grass, pampas grass
Deu: pampasgras
Por: capim-das-pampas, penacho-branco, penachos, plumas
Spa: carizzo de la pampa, carrizo de la pampa, cola de zorro, el plumero de la pampa, gineri, ginerio plateado, hierba de rodas, hierba de la pampa, hierba de las pampas, hierba de plumeros, plomes, pluma de santa teresa
Afr: pampasgras, silwergras
Swe: pampasgräs
Nld: pampagras, pampasgras
Cym: paithwellt, peithwellt
En: Pampas-grass, Uruguayan pampas grass, Pampas grass, Uruguayan Pampas-grass
Af: Pampasgras, Silwergras
Ca: Cortadèria, Gineri
Nl: Pampagras, Pampasgras
Fr: Herbe de la pampa, Herbe des pampas, Gynérium argenté, Plumet, Roseau à plumes
De: Pampasgras
It: Erba dela Pampa, Erba della pampa
Pt: Capim-das-pampas, Penacho-branco, Penachos, Plumas
Es: Carizzo de la Pampa, Carrizo de la Pampa, Cola de zorro, El plumero de la pampa, Gineri, Ginerio plateado, Hierba de Rodas, Hierba de la Pampa, Hierba de las pampas, Hierba de plumeros, Plomes, Pluma de Santa Teresa, Carrizo de las pampas
Sv: Pampasgräs
Cy: Paithwellt, Peithwellt

Synonyms

• Gynerium argenteum var. albolineatum (W.Bull)
• Arundo kila (Spreng. ex Steud.)
• Gynerium argenteum bertinii (Jacob-Makoy)
• Cortaderia argentea ((Nees) Stapf)
• Cortaderia dioeca (Speg.)
• Arundo selloana (Schult. & Schult.f.)
• Gynerium purpureum (Carrière)
• Gynerium dioicum (Dallière)
• Moorea argentea ((Nees) Lem.)
• Arundo dioeca (Spreng.)
• Gynerium elegans (Van Geert)
• Gynerium argenteum (Nees)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2020 by MOLLA RAFA (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 24, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2020 by MOLLA RAFA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2020 by MOLLA RAFA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 25, 2021 by João Valadão (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Christian Pabst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2018 by Carlos Miguel Fosquinha (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2020 by Kampf Robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 10, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 10, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 4, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 22, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2021 by Ionela Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 26, 2022 by cgallego (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 6, 2020 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by David Ochoa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2019 by Miguel DrE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2019 by Fedan Hacizade (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2704523)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:66317-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cortaderia selloana (Schult. & Schult.f.) Asch. & Graebn.)

Specifications

Growth