Porcupine grass is noted for its horizontally banded foliage and upright, columnar habit in which the erect leaf blades resemble porcupine quills.
It typically grows in an upright clump to 5-6′ tall with the flower plumes raising total overall height to 8-9′ tall.
Features medium green leaves variegated with yellow horizontal bands. Foliage fades to tan after frost.
Tiny reddish-bronze flowers appear in tassel-like inflorescences which rise well above the foliage in late summer, gradually turning into silvery plumes in fall. Flower plumes persist well into winter providing good winter interest.