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. 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 in diameter. It is evergreen to semi-evergreen, depending on the climate.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 tall, rising high above the foliage.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.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 and the cultivar 'Gold Fontaene' have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
See also Ornamental grasses
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