[Cal-IPC] Invasive: Cortaderia selloana (pampasgrass) is a large perennial grass (family Poaceae) found along the coast of California, and in the Coast Ranges, Central Valley, Western Transverse Ranges, and Mojave Desert. Pampasgrass favors dunes, bluffs, coastal shrublands and marshes, inland riparian areas, and disturbed areas. It was introduced as an ornamental plant and for erosion control. Each plume produces up to 100,000 seeds that are widely dispersed by wind and develop without fertilization. Pampasgrass quickly colonizes bare ground, but establishment is generally poor where the seedlings must compete with other grasses or sedges. Cal-IPC Rating: High (link added by Mary Ann Machi)

[Wikipedia] South America native, Etymology: Cortaderia selloana is a species of flowering plant in the Poaceae family.[1] It is referred to by the common name pampas grass,[2] and is native to southern South America, including the Pampas region after which it is named. Etymology Cortaderia is derived from the Argentine Spanish name ?cortadera?, meaning ?cutter?, in reference to its razor sharp leaf margins.[3] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)