For decades, pampas grass, also known as Cortaderia selloana, was seen mainly as an ornamental plant. Its large feathery plumes made it a familiar sight in gardens and, more recently, in decorative arrangements indoors. But what many still regard as a showy plant is, in Portugal, an invasive alien species that can spread rapidly and has potential consequences for health.
This invasive plant has already been identified in at least 208 municipalities in mainland Portugal, according to a study published in 2025 (source in Portuguese). The real number may, however, be higher, as existing maps depend on records submitted by people on the ground.
