Festuca novae-zelandiae

Festuca novae-zelandiae is a long-lived, caesptiose (growing in dense tufts) grass indigenous to New Zealand. It is a common component of low tussock grasslands in dry, windy and cold central plains and grows to a height of 70cm and a spread of 0.4m. It grows in both the North and South Island. 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.