This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Cortaderia selloana
  • Pampas Grass

a perennial evergreen member of the Cortaderia genus in the family Gramineae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cortaderia selloana has 0 material uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Cortaderia selloana.

Material uses

A fibre obtained from the leaves is used for making paper[1][2][3][4]. The leaves are harvested in the autumn, they are cut into usable pieces and soaked for 24 hours in clear water. They are then cooked for 2 hours with lye and then beaten in a blender. The fibre makes a yellow paper[4].

Unknown part

Fibre
Paper

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Cortaderia selloana.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow March/April in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 15°c. Keep the soil moist. The seed has a short viability[5]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in late spring[6]. It can be very difficult to obtain divisions from this plant because they tend to be very large and to be very close to the main clump. We have found it best to use a sharp spade to cut into the main clump and break off the divisions. These are then potted up in light shade in a cold frame and are planted out once they have rooted well and are in active growth.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cortaderia selloana. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a damp well-drained sandy or loamy soil[6]. Inclined to be intolerant of cold clay soils[7]. Succeeds in dry soils. Prefers a sunny sheltered position[6][7][5]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure[K].

This species is hardy to about -20°c[8] if the winter is not excessively wet, though it is intolerant of prolonged periods of cold weather. Pampas grass is occasionally cultivated in some areas for its fibre which is used in making paper. Plants grow well as a focal point in a lawn and they also succeed in quite coarse grass[6][9]. A number of named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[8][5]. The leaves have saw-toothed edges, it is best to wear gloves when working with the plant[5]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[9].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[5]. The inflorescence on the male plant is rather erect whilst it has wide spreading branches on the female[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cortaderia selloana. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cortaderia selloana.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cortaderia selloana
Genus
Cortaderia
Family
Gramineae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[1][2][3][4]
Botanic
[5]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
3 x 1.2 meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
dioecious

"image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Bell. L. A. Plant Fibres for Papermaking. Liliaceae Press (1988-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-1219-9 (1989-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.2 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)

Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-139" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.
Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-17" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

"image:PampasGrass.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cortaderia_selloana&oldid=76504"
Facts about "Cortaderia selloana"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyGramineae +
Belongs to genusCortaderia +
Has common namePampas Grass +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
Has flowers of typeDioecious +
Has hardiness zone5 +
Has imagePampasGrass.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useFibre + and Paper +
Has mature height3 +
Has mature width1.2 +
Has primary imagePampasGrass.jpg +
Has search namecortaderia selloana + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameCortaderia selloana +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +