Toetoe

Botanical name: Austroderia richardii
Synonyms: Cortaderia richardii, Arundo richardii
Common name(s): Toetoe, Kakaho, Cutty Grass

About:
A tall graceful native toetoe species endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. This elegant tussock grass is recognised for its slender arching foliage and distinctive drooping silvery-white flowering plumes.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally along stream banks, riverbeds, wetlands, coastal dunes, lake margins, scrublands, seepages, and subalpine environments.

Growing environment:
Full sun to partial shade, Moist soils, Wind tolerant & Frost hardy.
Thrives in damp to free-draining soils and tolerates coastal exposure, poor soils, sand, and cold climates.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand.
Primarily confined to the South Island with possible occurrence east of Cape Palliser in the southern North Island.

Height:
Approximately 1.5–3 m tall when flowering

Width:
Forms graceful tussocks approximately 1–2 m across

Flowering:
Spring to early summer
Produces large narrow silvery-white plumes from September to November.

Fruiting:
Spring to autumn
Wind-dispersed seed develops from October through March.

Uses:

• Riparian and wetland restoration
• Coastal revegetation
• Shelter and windbreak planting
• Ornamental landscaping
• Dune stabilisation
• Dried flower arrangements

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A tall elegant tussock-forming grass with slender arching foliage and narrow pendulous flowering plumes.

Leaves:
Leaves are long, narrow, green to dark green, often glaucous, with sharp finely serrated margins and a graceful arching habit.

Flowers:
Produces soft drooping cream to silvery-white plume-like flower heads held high above the foliage.

Seed heads:
Large silky seed plumes persist well into winter and disperse readily by wind.

Ecology:
An important native wetland and riparian grass providing shelter, erosion control, and habitat in coastal and freshwater ecosystems.

Associated habitats:
Frequently associated with riversides, wetlands, dunes, lake margins, coastal systems, and moist open scrubland.

How to grow:
Best planted in full sun or light shade in moist but well-drained soil. Tolerates frost, coastal winds, periodic drought, and poor sandy soils once established.

Propagation:
Easily propagated from fresh seed, division of juvenile tussocks, or chilled stratified seed.

Garden value:
A highly ornamental native grass valued for its graceful form, elegant silvery plumes, and strong architectural presence. Excellent for large-scale native plantings, riparian restoration, coastal gardens, and naturalistic landscape designs.