Plant · GBIF taxon 4127011
Calamagrostis acutiflora
Calamagrostis acutifloraAlso known as Feather Reed Grass, Karl Foerster Grass
Feather reed grass forms dense, clumping tufts of deep green foliage that stay strictly upright throughout the growing season. In early summer, rigid vertical stems emerge carrying feathery bronze plumes that fade to narrow, buff-colored stalks by autumn. This naturally occurring sterile hybrid thrives in full sun and wet soils, providing winter structure and shelter for roosting songbirds.
PerennialOrnamentalGrass

Licensed referencePhoto by David J. Stang / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic
Predators
- Cattle
- Rabbits
- Voles
ThreatsHabitat disruption and competition from aggressive weeds
HabitatsMoist meadows, streambanks, open woods, and gardens
Life span10–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPoales
- FamilyPoaceae
- GenusCalamagrostis
- SpeciesCalamagrostis acutiflora
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Timing: Look for airy reddish-bronze flowers starting in early June.
- Winter Aesthetics: Observe seed heads left standing through winter for snow-dusted visual structure.
- Identification: Distinguish from other tall grasses by its tight, strictly vertical clumping habit.
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