Broad-leaved Snow Tussock

Botanical name: Chionochloa flavescens subsp. flavescens
Synonyms: None known
Common name(s): Broad-leaved Snow Tussock, Haumata

About:
A handsome and robust snow tussock endemic to New Zealand, prized for its broad arching leaves and graceful flowering plumes. Larger-leaved than most other snow tussocks, it forms wide evergreen clumps that provide year-round structure and movement in the landscape. Its soft weeping foliage and airy summer flower heads make it one of the most attractive native grasses for gardens and restoration projects.

Natural habitat:
Montane to alpine grasslands, open slopes, forest margins and rocky hillsides.

Growing environment:
Prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, free-draining soils. Tolerates drought, wind and exposed coastal conditions once established. Adaptable and easy to grow in a range of garden settings.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Widespread in montane and alpine regions of both the North and South Islands.

Height:
1–1.5 m

Width:
1–1.5 m

Flowering:
December–January

Fruiting:
Summer–autumn

Uses:
• Feature tussock in native gardens
• Mass planting and meadow-style gardens
• Coastal and exposed sites
• Container planting
• Restoration and revegetation projects
• Erosion control on slopes

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A stout evergreen tussock forming broad, arching clumps with gracefully weeping foliage and tall flowering stems.

Leaves:
Leaves are bright to mid green, arching and weeping, reaching up to 1 m long and 12 mm wide, making them noticeably broader than those of most snow tussocks.

Flowers:
Produces open, feathery flower plumes up to 300 mm long on stems reaching 1.5 m tall. Flower heads emerge green in summer and gradually age to pale brown.

Fruit:
Small wind-dispersed seeds develop within the flowering plumes and are released during late summer and autumn.

Ecology:
Florets are dispersed by wind. Mature tussocks provide shelter for insects and small animals, while the persistent seed heads offer food for birds over winter.

Associated habitats:
Montane grasslands, alpine herbfields, rocky slopes, forest margins, coastal hillsides and open shrublands.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun or partial shade in a free-draining soil. Tolerates dry periods and coastal exposure once established. Remove competing weeds during establishment and mulch annually to conserve moisture.

Propagation:
Best propagated from fresh seed collected in summer or autumn. Established clumps can also be divided in autumn or early winter and replanted immediately.

Cultural use:
Known as haumata in te reo Māori, this species is an important component of New Zealand’s native grasslands and alpine landscapes.

Garden value:
An outstanding ornamental tussock that combines broad flowing foliage with elegant flower plumes. Excellent for naturalistic plantings, coastal gardens and large containers where its graceful habit can be fully appreciated.