Beddie’s Tussock

Botanical name: Chionochloa beddiei
Synonyms: None
Common name(s): Beddie’s Tussock, Cook Strait Tussock

About:
A distinctive small coastal snow tussock endemic to the southern Wellington coastline. It forms compact, shiny tussocks with stiff, spreading leaves and dense awn-bristled flower heads. Restricted to a narrow stretch of coastline around Cook Strait, it is one of New Zealand’s most localised tussock species.

Natural habitat:
Coastal bluffs, cliffs, talus slopes, rocky headlands, exposed promontories and sparsely scrub-covered coastal slopes.

Growing environment:
Prefers full sun, excellent drainage and open exposed conditions. Thrives in rocky coastal soils and tolerates strong winds and salt spray. Dislikes humidity and heavy, poorly drained soils.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Restricted to the southern Wellington and eastern Wairarapa coast from the Orongorongo River east to White Rock near Cape Palliser, occasionally extending a short distance inland.

Height:
600–750 mm

Width:
400–800 mm

Flowering:
November–December

Fruiting:
December–May

Uses:
• Coastal restoration projects
• Native grassland plantings
• Coastal gardens
• Dry rocky landscapes
• Erosion control on slopes
• Specialist native collections

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A compact, glossy tussock with stiff, widely spreading shoots and persistent foliage forming dense rounded clumps.

Leaves:
Leaves up to 600 mm long and about 4 mm wide, flat to U-shaped, pale green to yellow-green, arching and persistent. Margins become shaggy with long hairs toward the base and the upper surface bears fine prickle-like teeth.

Flowers:
Produces dense, compact flowering heads up to 150 mm long. The inflorescences are crowded with conspicuous awns, giving them a bristly appearance.

Fruit:
Small wind-dispersed grass seeds produced after flowering, enclosed within the bristled seed heads.

Ecology:
A naturally uncommon coastal grass adapted to harsh maritime conditions. Seeds are dispersed by wind and the dense tussocks provide shelter and stability on exposed coastal slopes.

Associated habitats:
Coastal cliffs, rocky bluffs, talus slopes, exposed headlands, coastal scrub margins and dry maritime grassland.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun in a very free-draining site. Performs best on rocky slopes, coastal banks, raised beds or stone walls. Avoid excessive root disturbance once established.

Propagation:
Best raised from fresh seed. Young plants should be planted into their permanent position early, as established plants resent transplanting and root disturbance.

Cultural use:
An important component of the distinctive Cook Strait coastal flora and one of New Zealand’s most geographically restricted tussock grasses.

Garden value:
An excellent feature tussock for coastal and dry-climate gardens. Its compact habit, glossy foliage and dense bristly flower heads provide year-round structure and texture in exposed landscapes.