Mexican Feathergrass (Nassella tenuissima), also known as Stipa tenuissima or Fine-Stem Needlegrass, is a delicate, fine-textured ornamental grass known for its airy, hair-like leaves and wispy, thread-like flower heads. Forming soft, flowing tufts, it moves gracefully with the wind, creating a shimmering, kinetic effect in the landscape.

Native to arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico, this perennial bunchgrass thrives in dry, open habitats such as rocky hillsides, grasslands, and scrublands. Belonging to the Poaceae family, it is highly drought-tolerant and well-suited to xeriscapes and naturalistic garden designs.

The plant’s pale green foliage turns golden in late summer and fall, complemented by silvery seed heads that appear to float above the mound. Nassella tenuissima is appreciated not only for its elegant motion and texture but also for its ability to soften hard edges, fill gaps in plantings, and evoke a sense of lightness in modern and minimalist landscapes.