T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network

Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae 
Genus: Cortaderia
Species: There are 5 species. 
C. Richardii is only found in the South Island, 
C. toetoe found lower North Island, 
C. fulvida only in the North Island and very north of the South Island,
C. spendens only in the upper North Island, 
C. turbaria only on the Chatham Islands.
Common name: Toetoe,

There are at least 5 native species of the genus of this large grass in New Zealand. Toetoe is similar to the invasive pampas grasses, the table below shows the difference.

The Maoris ate the stalk of the toetoe, firstly as a food and secondly to cure bladder and kidney ailments. The well known white plumes of the toetoe stalks could be compacted into a covering that would stop bleeding. A paste was made from burning toetoe and then adding the ashes towater for placement on burns.