hunangāmoho
Anemanthele lessoniana | hunangāmoho, gossamer grass
A graceful tussock-forming grass with arching foliage that shifts from green to shimmering tones of copper, orange, and gold, especially in autumn and winter. Its feathery flowerheads rise above the leaves in late summer, adding movement and texture as they catch the wind. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in full sun or semi-shade, tolerates coastal exposure, and is drought-hardy once established. Growing to around a metre tall, it makes a striking feature whether mass planted for flowing displays or used sparingly to add elegance to borders and under trees.
typical habitat.
coastal forest
lowland forest
montane forest
forest margins
cliff faces
drainage.
moist
well drained
free draining
dry
sun.
full sun
partial shade
mature specifications.
height | 1m
width |1 m
pollinators calendar.
flowering | (October)–January–(March)
fruiting | November)–February–(May)
did you know?
Easily grown from fresh seed, this grass often naturalises in gardens and can become highly invasive outside its natural range. It is naturally found in North Auckland, Waikato, the southern third of the North Island, and in the South Island from Nelson and Marlborough south, mainly on the eastern side.