Anemanthele

Anemanthele is a genus of plants in the grass family native to New Zealand.^[3][4]

Anemanthele
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Pooideae
Supertribe:	Stipodae
Tribe:	Stipeae
Genus:	Anemanthele Veldkamp[1]
Species:	A. lessoniana
Binomial name
Anemanthele lessoniana (Steud.) Veldkamp
Synonyms[2]
Agrostis lessoniana Steud. Dichelachne procera Steud. Oryzopsis lessoniana (Steud.) Veldkamp Agrostis procera A.Rich. Agrostis rigida R.Lesson ex A.Rich. Apera arundinacea Hook.f. Dichelachne rigida Steud. Stipa arundinacea (Hook.f.) Benth. Apera purpurascens Colenso Oryzopsis rigida (Steud.) Zotov

The only known species is Anemanthele lessoniana, often called gossamer grass or New Zealand wind grass or pheasant's tail grass.^[5] This is a naturally rare grass in the wild but it is widely cultivated for use as an attractive ornamental garden plant. It is marginal in zone 8, going dormant and deciduous in cold winters, but usually evergreen to semi-evergreen. It has green arching foliage to 3 feet in USDA 8, with highlights of orange, copper, and gold, especially in drier soils.

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^[6]