Mature plants are often surrounded by these dead leaves, which resemble wood shavings. Toetoe leaves droop, but do not form spirals. Pampas flower heads are erect and dense and range in colour from white to purple. Cortaderia jubata begins flowering in late January, and Cortaderia selloana begins flowering in early March. Toetoe flowers from October to January.
Pampas threatens the productivity of plantation forests and land of high conservation value.
It has the ability to reach distant open spaces quickly and to blanket them with very rapid growth. Native turfland communities can be quickly overcome by the invasion of pampas. Pampas invades disturbed areas such as cleared bush margins, burned areas and firebreaks where it competes with and smothers other vegetation, and provides habitat for rats and mice. The buildup of dry material from pampas such as dead leaves, leaf bases and flowering stalks creates a significant fire hazard. Digging and grubbing is possible for seedlings and small plants.