Celtica gigantea

Celtica gigantea, commonly called giant feather grass, giant needle grass, or golden oats, is a species of flowering plant in the grass family Poaceae, native to the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco.[2] It is still widely referenced in the horticultural literature under its synonym Stipa gigantea.[3]

Celtica gigantea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Pooideae
Genus: Celtica
F.M.Vázquez & Barkworth
Species:
C. gigantea
Binomial name
Celtica gigantea
(Link) F.M.Vázquez & Barkworth
Synonyms[1]

Species synonymy

  • Lasiagrostis gigantea (Link) Trin. & Rupr.
  • Macrochloa gigantea (Link) Hack.
  • Stipa gigantea Link

Description

Celtica gigantea is a bunchgrass with 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.[4]

The plant has prominent flower spikes emerging silver-lavender 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.[5][4]

Cultivation

Celtica gigantea is grown as an ornamental grass for planting as single specimens and massed drifts in parks, public landscapes, and gardens.[5] It is used in drought tolerant and Mediterranean climate—plant palette gardens.[4]

The tall golden flower spikes are attractive on the plant, especially radiant when backlit by the sun.[6] They may also be used for dried flowers.

Under the synonym Stipa gigantea this plant[3][7] and the cultivar 'Gold Fontaene'[8] have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

See also

References
  1. "Celtica gigantea". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  2. "Celtica gigantea (Link) F.M.Vázquez & Barkworth | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  3. "RHS Plant Selector - Stipa gigantea". Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  4. San Marcos Growers: Stipa gigantea (Giant Needle Grass) . accessed 6.26.2012
  5. Fine Gardening Plant Guide: Stipa gigantea (Giant feather grass, Golden oats) . accessed 6.26.2012
  6. Perennials.com: Plant Profile for Stipa gigantea - Giant Feather Grass . accessed 6.26.2012
  7. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 99. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  8. "Stipa gigantea 'Gold Fontaene'". RHS. Retrieved 5 March 2021.

Media related to Stipa gigantea at Wikimedia Commons


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