So it turns out that Toetoe is not the same as Pampas Grass, which I did not know until today.
This is from a 2014 NZ Herald article... "
"Many weeds attack our ecosystems but one which closely resembles the native toetoe is among the most insidious.
Pampas, the prolific-seeding native of South America, invades disturbed areas, such as cleared bush margins, burned areas and firebreaks.
It competes with and smothers other vegetation, and provides habitat for rats and mice. Heavy infestations are radiating wind-blown seeds across Northland, Taranaki, Whanganui, Bay of Plenty and elsewhere.
Pampas threatens plantation forests and land of high conservation value. It can reach distant open spaces quickly and blanket them with very rapid growth. Some areas, such as native turfland communities, can be quickly overcome by the invasion of pampas.
Unlike the pampas, the less fluffy and more graceful toetoe has a right to be here.
The toetoe is part of this country's heritage. Maori once used its leaves to make baskets, kites, mats, wall linings and roof thatching.
It was also used to make containers to cook food in hot springs and on the East Coast children apparently used the stalks as light spears, or "practice spears" for a play version of a more dangerous adult game.
The flower stalks were also useful - as frames for kites, and in tukutuku panelling. The seed heads themselves were used on fresh wounds to stop bleeding. Other medicinal uses included treatment of diarrhoea, kidney complaints and burns.
Toetoe is New Zealand's largest native grass, growing in clumps up to 3m in height."
I didn't know the difference either. Never heard of toetoe. Pampas grass regarded as a noxious weed here in Australia, but this looks gorgeous against the blue sky.
