Perennial tussock-forming grass with stems to about 1 m tall. Leaf blades flat, folded or inrolled, rough. Ligule about 1 mm long. Inflorescences cylindrical, soft, dense, mostly 10-25 cm long. Spikelets 1-4 per branch with the basal bristles 1.5-4 cm long, purplish, the outer ones rough, the inner ones silky hairy. [P.ruppelii Steud.]

Africa

Naturalised in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, but widely cultivated for its soft, pinkish floral plumes.

Source: Spencer, R.; Aldous, D.; Stajsic, V.; McGeary, D (2005). Poaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.