Austroderia richardii facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Austroderia richardii
Scientific classification
Genus:	Austroderia
Species:	richardii

Austroderia richardii is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the grass family, Poaceae. It's an evergreen perennial grass, meaning it stays green all year and lives for many years.

This plant is often called "pampas grass," but that name usually refers to a different species, A. selloana. A more specific name for Austroderia richardii is "early pampas-grass." You might also hear it called "tussock grass." In the Māori language, its name is "toetoe."

Austroderia richardii is one of five species in the Austroderia group that are found only in New Zealand. It grows in the South Island and possibly also in the North Island. It has also been introduced to Tasmania, Australia.

What it Looks Like

Austroderia richardii is a very large grass. It can grow to be about 1.5 to 3 meters (5 to 10 feet) tall. Its leaves are long, about 1 meter (3 feet) in length, and 2 to 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) wide. The edges of the leaves are very sharp. Because of these tiny, sharp teeth along the edges, people sometimes call it "cutty grass."

The leaves are rough, green, flat, and narrow. Tall, hollow stems called "culms" grow up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) high. These tall culms are a key feature of Austroderia richardii. They have large, arching, dense, silvery plumes at the top. These plumes make the plant look very elegant and help it stand out from other Austroderia types.

The flower head usually hangs down on one side. It has many fine, hanging branches with small clusters of flowers. These flowers are covered in soft, hairy scales. The plumes are usually a creamy yellow color and grow to be about 30–60 centimeters (12–24 inches) long. They have a loose, open look, which gives Austroderia richardii its distinctive thick, soft, plume-like appearance.

The leaves have several clear veins running down each side of the middle. This makes them tougher and stronger than the leaves of the introduced pampas grass, which looks similar. This difference in leaf veins can help you tell them apart.

Austroderia richardii usually flowers in spring and early summer, from September to November. However, its plumes stay on the plant for a long time. It produces fruit and seeds between October and March.

All Austroderia species in New Zealand, including those brought from other places, have a special way of reproducing. They have both male-only plants and plants that have both male and female parts (called hermaphrodites). Both types of plants can produce seeds. Their seeds are spread by the wind.

Where it Grows

Toetoe is native to New Zealand. This means it naturally grows there. However, it has also been introduced to Tasmania, Australia, where it now grows in the wild.

In New Zealand, Austroderia richardii is mainly found in the South Island. It might also grow in the North Island, east of Cape Palliser.

This grass is very tough and can grow in many different places. It can adapt to wetlands, scrubland, and coastal sand dunes. It prefers moist or dry soils and sand. This allows it to grow well in the habitats mentioned. It can even grow in very poor soils, like sand on coastal dunes. It can also survive in areas that get a lot of frost. It's well-suited to coastal areas because it can handle poor soil, strong winds, and rain.

While Austroderia richardii can grow in many conditions, it prefers areas near water. This shows it likes to take in a lot of moisture. Even though it likes moist soil best, it can grow in soils that don't have many nutrients. This includes soils made mostly of sand, clay, or pumice. These soils often lack nutrients because they are either too wet or too dry.

Ecology

Austroderia richardii is mainly eaten by plant-eating animals, called herbivores. This includes many types of birds found in New Zealand, as well as birds from other places. These animals mostly eat the seeds from the plumes that appear in spring and summer.

The plant is not poisonous. However, most herbivores probably don't try to eat the leaves of Austroderia richardii. This is because the leaves have very sharp edges and tiny teeth, which is why it's nicknamed "cutty grass." Besides being able to cut predators, the leaves also don't taste very good to introduced herbivores. This means animals don't enjoy eating them. Some grazing animals are known to eat the leaves, but not enough to harm the plant species.

How People Grow It

Austroderia richardii is widely grown in areas with mild climates. People grow it for its beautiful plumes of silvery-white flowers. These plumes appear in summer and last well into winter, growing up to 60 centimeters (24 inches) long. Like its relatives, it's often used in dried flower arrangements. It has even won an important award for garden plants called the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Austroderia richardii is the only native New Zealand species in its group that is sold in New Zealand. It's often sold for its beauty in gardens. It can be hard to find and is usually only available from nurseries that specialize in native plants.

Austroderia richardii usually grows in clumps of about five or six plants. This is likely because its seeds are spread by the wind. These clumps act as a good windbreak for farm animals. The plants are very tough and can handle many different weather conditions. Gardeners often remove the old stalks that are no longer flowering. This makes the plants look nicer in a garden or in their natural homes.

To help Austroderia richardii seeds sprout, it's suggested to chill them. First, soak the seeds in water overnight. Then, drain the water and keep the seeds moist in a refrigerator for about four weeks. After this time, the seeds should be ready to sprout and grow into young plants. Toetoe can also be grown by dividing existing plants. Young plants are easier to divide and grow better than older, more mature plants.