Botanical name:

Austroderia fulvida

Common name(s):

Cortaderia fulvida, Toetoe, Kakaho

About:

Austroderia fulvida, or toetoe, is a tall perennial grass native to New Zealand, known for its large feathery flower plumes and robust growth. It has dense clumps of long green leaves that can turn golden-yellow in autumn, with tall stems bearing creamy-yellow plumes from late summer to autumn. Ideal for vertical accents and coastal gardens, toetoe adds texture and movement to large landscapes. It thrives in full sun to light shade and tolerates various soil types, especially well-drained conditions, while requiring spacing of 1.5m to 2m between plants. At flowering, it reaches about 3.5m, making it one of the larger New Zealand native grasses.

Natural habitat:

Found from the coast to montane areas. Common alongside streams, lake margins, in damp spots within forest clearings, seepages, dunes and on hillsides, including sea cliffs. In the Central North Island is often found bordering with forestry roads and logging tracks.

Growing environment:

Wind & drought tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

North Island - throughout but generally scarce north of Auckland, also Marlborough in the South Island.

Height: 3.5 - 4m

Flowering:

September - November (later at higher altitudes e.g. Dec-Jan in central North Island) with a cream or white coloured flower/s.

Fruiting:

October - March

Uses:

Riparian plantings & Pioneer Plantings.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed (as a revegation exercise ripe seed heads can be pinned to soil surface, and if kept damp, soon germinate) and division of established plants.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. Sow seed direct & keep moist until germination is complete.