pampas grass
Cortaderia araucana Stapf
Sharp-edged leaves surround the silky flower plumes of Cortaderia araucana. This perennial grass grows in dense tussocks with upright stems. Argentina National Parks SIB: Cortaderia araucana
Botanical name
Argentina’s National Parks authority recognizes Cortaderia araucana Stapf. Argentina National Parks SIB: Cortaderia araucana
Recognizing the plant
The stems stand about half a metre to one and a half metres tall, with nodes concealed by shiny leaf sheaths. The blades reach thirty to eighty centimetres long and taper to fine tips, with blades three to ten millimetres wide. Dense, elongated panicles measure fifteen to fifty-five centimetres. Each spikelet contains four to seven small flowers, and the mature grain is roughly cylindrical. Female panicles may be partly enclosed by the uppermost leaf sheath. Argentina National Parks SIB: Cortaderia araucana
Bloom window
Patagonia, Argentina
In the Patagonian account, flowering occurs in the Southern Hemisphere summer, when the dense panicles form their silky display. Argentina National Parks SIB: Cortaderia araucana
Native range
The species is native in Argentina and Chile. In Argentina, the account places it from Neuquén south to Santa Cruz, on sandy, moist ground beside rivers and streams. It may also form stands on damp sandy slopes. Argentina National Parks SIB: Cortaderia araucana
Botanical sources
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.