Celtica gigantea
{{Short description|Species of grass}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Stipa gigantea 3.JPG
| genus = Celtica
| parent_authority = F.M.Vázquez & Barkworth
| species = gigantea
| authority = (Link) F.M.Vázquez & Barkworth
| synonyms =
Species synonymy
{{Species list
| Lasiagrostis gigantea | (Link) Trin. & Rupr.
| Macrochloa gigantea | (Link) Hack.
| Stipa gigantea | Link
}}
}}
Celtica gigantea, commonly called giant feather grass, giant needle grass or golden-oats, is a species of flowering plant in the grass family, Poaceae, native to the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco.{{cite web |title=Celtica gigantea (Link) F.M.Vázquez & Barkworth {{!}} Plants of the World Online {{!}} Kew Science |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77060058-1 |website=Plants of the World Online |access-date=19 January 2023 |language=en}} Despite being renamed and placed within the genus Celtica, it is still widely referred to—both in horticultural literature and amongst gardeners—by its synonym, Stipa gigantea.
Description
Celtica gigantea is a bunchgrass with leaf blades that are narrow and gray-green, creating a bunchgrass foliage mass {{convert|2|-|3|ft|m}} in diameter. It is evergreen to semi-evergreen, depending on the climate.[http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=743 San Marcos Growers: Stipa gigantea (Giant Needle Grass)] . accessed 6.26.2012
The plant has prominent flower spikes emerging silver-lavender in the late spring, aging to a radiant golden over the summer, and persisting in tan into winter. The spikes typically grow to {{convert|8|ft|m}} tall, rising high above the foliage.[http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/stipa-gigantea-giant-feather-grass.aspx Fine Gardening Plant Guide: Stipa gigantea (Giant feather grass, Golden oats)] . accessed 6.26.2012
Cultivation
Celtica gigantea is grown as an ornamental grass for planting as single specimens and massed drifts in parks, public landscapes, and gardens. It is used in drought tolerant and Mediterranean climate—plant palette gardens.
The tall golden flower spikes are attractive on the plant, especially radiant when backlit by the sun.[http://www.perennials.com/plants/stipa-gigantea.html Perennials.com: Plant Profile for Stipa gigantea - Giant Feather Grass] . accessed 6.26.2012 They may also be used for dried flowers.
Under the synonym Stipa gigantea this plant{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector - Stipa gigantea|url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/17802/Stipa-gigantea/Details | accessdate=31 August 2020}}{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf | title = AGM Plants - Ornamental | date = July 2017 | page = 99 | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | accessdate = 21 November 2018}} and the cultivar 'Gold Fontaene'{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/124370/Stipa-gigantea-Gold-Fontaene/Details | title = Stipa gigantea 'Gold Fontaene' | publisher = RHS | access-date = 5 March 2021}} have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from3=Q4225940|from1=Q43373675|from2=Q21446723}}
Category:Bunchgrasses of Europe
Category:Garden plants of Europe
Category:Drought-tolerant plants
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