Arcata Field Office

Andean Pampas Grass (Cortaderia jubata)

Grass Family (Poaceae)


  Andean Pampas Grass

Description: Andean pampas grass is often cultivated as a landscaping ornamental for its feather-like blooms. Andean pampas grass stems stand 6.6-23 feet (2-7 meters) tall. Leaf blades are 0.8-3.7 inches (2-10 centimeters) wide, deep green, upper suface hairy at base. Leaves are very tough and cutting. Blooms are 12-37 inches (3-10 decimeters) long, feathery.

Habitat: Native to montane western South America, this invasive grass occurs in disturbed sites and many other habitats, especially coastal. Elevations are limited to below 2600 feet (800 meters).

Distribution: On public lands administered by the Arcata Field Office, Andean pampas grass continually attempts to colonize in coastal dune habitat on the Samoa Peninsula. Regionally, (and not on BLM lands) it can be found in cut-over timberlands throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Flowering Period: March through June