Kingdom Plantae Family Poaceae Tribe Stipeae Scientific name Celtica gigantea | Order Poales Subfamily Pooideae Genus Stipa Rank Species | |
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Similar Needle grasses, Mexican feathergrass, Nassella, Calamagrostis, Japanese forest grass | ||
Stipa gigantea, commonly called giant feather grass, giant needle grass, or golden oats, is a bunchgrass in the genus Stipa, native to southern Europe. It occurs in Spain and other Mediterranean countries.
Description
Stipa gigantea has leaf blades that are narrow and gray-green, creating a bunchgrass foliage mass 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) in diameter. It is evergreen to semi-evergreen, depending on the climate.
The plant has prominent flower spikes emerging silver-laveneder in the late spring, aging to a radiant golden over the summer, and persisting in tan into winter. The spikes typically grow to 8 feet (2.4 m) tall, rising high above the foliage.
Stipa gigantea is grown as an ornamental grass for planting as single specimens and massed drifts in parks, public landscapes, and gardens. It is used in drought tolerant and Mediterranean climate—plant palette gardens.
The tall golden flower spikes are attractive on the plant, especially radiant when backlit by the sun. They may also be used for dried flowers.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.