Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Austroderia richardii

Synonyms

Cortaderia richardii (Endl.) Zotov
Arundo australis A. Rich.
Arundo richardii Endl.
Arundo kakao Steud.

Family

Gramineae (South Australia)
Poaceae (Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory)

Common Names

cortaderia, New Zealand pampas grass, NZ pampas grass, pampas grass, Richard's pampas grass, South Island toi toi, toe toe, toe-toe, toetoe, toetoe grass, toitoi

Origin

Native to the South Island of New Zealand.

Naturalised Distribution

A recent introduction to Australia, this species is currently only locally naturalised in western Tasmania.

Notes

New Zealand pampas grass (Cortaderia richardii) is regarded as an environmental weed in Tasmania, particularly in coastal regions, and as a potential environmental weed in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. It is currently confined to the western parts of Tasmania, where it threatens World Heritage areas in the south-western parts of the state.