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 |
| Frosts: | Hardy |
| Features: | Drought tolerant. Suitable for bordering or edging. Attractive to insects and lizards. 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]
Plant Calendar:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowering | Fruiting | Both | |
| Key |
| Fruit | Seed | Nectar | |
| Key | F | S | N |
