# Feather Reed Grass (*Calamagrostis ×acutiflora (Schrad.) Rchb.*)

Feather Reed Grass is a lovely plant with soft, feathery flowers that look like little plumes. It grows in clumps and is great for gardens!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Wetlands and meadows
- **Also known as:** Calamagrostis acutiflora

![Feather Reed Grass](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771438797/objects/5030.jpg)

## Appearance

The Feather Reed Grass has tall, narrow clumps of vibrant green foliage. Its most striking feature is the upright, feathery plumes that emerge purplish-pink, gradually changing to golden-tan, and remaining attractive well into winter.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Family:** Poaceae
- **Genus:** Calamagrostis

## Interesting facts

- Even in winter, its golden plumes shimmer and catch the sunlight beautifully.
- Its tall, slender form makes it look like a living exclamation mark in gardens.
- Many varieties are named 'Karl Foerster' after a famous German horticulturist.
- This grass is a hybrid, a mix of two different parent grasses!

## Special abilities

- **Winter Warrior:** Feather Reed Grass has strong, upright stems that remain standing through winter, providing lasting garden interest.
- **Wind Whisperer:** Its flexible stems and airy plumes allow it to sway gracefully in the breeze, preventing damage from strong winds.
- **Root Resilience:** Feather Reed Grass has deep, fibrous roots that help it tolerate various soil types and even some drought conditions.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 90-180 cm
- **Spread:** 60-90 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer to fall
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Shelter:** [Dark-eyed Junco](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dark-eyed-junco) (*Junco hyemalis*) — finds winter cover among its sturdy stems.
- **Shelter:** Meadow Vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — builds nests and hides at its base.
- **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — browses young blades, especially in spring.

## Traits

- [Grass-Like](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grass-like): Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

## Collections

- [Grasses](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses)
- [Grasses, Shrubs & Bushes](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses-shrubs-and-bushes)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Feather Reed Grass?

Compare seed heads, stem shape, how leaves attach, and the joint where leaf meets stem. A patch of mown lawn rarely shows enough for an exact ID. Grass Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Feather Reed Grass?

90-180 cm

### How wide does Feather Reed Grass spread?

60-90 cm

### When does Feather Reed Grass bloom?

Summer to fall

### Is Feather Reed Grass edible?

No

### Is Feather Reed Grass toxic?

None

### What is Feather Reed Grass's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is Feather Reed Grass pollinated?

Wind

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Feather Reed Grass: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/feather-reed-grass)