Tussock grass
Poa flabellata

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Poa flabellata is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 2

Where it is found

Coastal rocks and peats, often in coastal bogs.

Southern S. America - Chile, Falkland Islands. Naturalized in Britain in the Shetland Islands.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

The base of the leaf stalk has a juicy and fleshy portion that is about 3cm long and as thick as an adult's finger. It is a very sweet morsel with a nutty flavour.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. This plant is also likely to tolerate wet soils and maritime exposure, see its native habitat.

Propagating it: Seed - surface sow in the spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in the spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Best place to grow: Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. forsteri. Festuca flabellata.