Talk:Cortaderia selloana

Pampass grass cold hardiness
What is the cold hardiness of pampass grass? It is fairly common in the humid subtropical Southeastern U.S.A. and other mild climate areas but is almost to totally non-existent in humid continental and colder climate areas. Are there any particularly cold-hardy varieties of pampas grass that can be grown in less than subtorpical climates (such as pumilla?)?. Thanks
 * Im not sure which one it is but most seem to thrive in even the coldest parts of norther britain. The pink ones seem to weaker but the largest varieties of the gold plumed are VERY hard to kill.RafikiSykes (talk) 14:33, 18 July 2011 (UTC)

Swingers
Pgalioni (talk) 22:25, 30 November 2011 (UTC) FOOTNOTES: 1 is valid, 2 returns server error, 3 must be paid for as it is Irish Times. The part for the subject is not visible from opening page, 4 returns server error. Pgalioni (talk) 22:25, 30 November 2011 (UTC)

It has been that rumoured that Pampas Grass, when planted in the front garden of a house in the UK, can be a sign that the occupants are active swingers. A little internet research suggests that this rumour is relatively widespread (e.g.: http://comment.independent.co.uk/columnists_m_z/brian_viner/article96599.ece). Can anyone substantiate it further, and if so should it be added to the article?

Cromagnon 19:37, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
 * I have seen plenty of pampas grass growing in places where there was no indication of "active swingers". I would give this about as much creedence as gays wearing green on Thursdays. Wahkeenah 20:32, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
 * citation needed added. Probably the existence of the rumour is relevant and references can be found, but the fact that it has been actually used to sign swingers should be removed.--Pere prlpz (talk) 23:16, 21 April 2011 (UTC)


 * Wouldn't that information, if true, be more appropriate on the swingers page? Everything I can find on this points to it being an urban myth (although given the invasive nature of the plant, perhaps a clever one to encourage people to remove the things).  (98.203.137.239 (talk) 16:42, 26 May 2011 (UTC))
 * I added a reference and "is said to be" to the text, i think it should remain as it is very often repeated and taken seriously eg Esther Ranzen in the article ripping hers our in horror. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 46.208.26.179 (talk) 15:47, 10 July 2011 (UTC)

I've removed the section. Adding "is said to be" is is weasel wording and the source cited only repeats that it is a widepread belief, not a fact. The rest of the section, stated as fact, was not backed up by the cited source. If someone finds a source, such as a "guide for swingers" recommending planting Cortaderia to attract partners, or a quote from a swinger that explains how s/he planted Cortaderia to signal others, feel free to restore the information. If we insist on including this trivia, without such proof, it should be rewritten, and well sourced, to be made clear it is a common myth, but has not been proved to be an actual practice of swingers. Valfontis (talk) 05:13, 23 August 2011 (UTC)
 * added further sources to indicate it is widespread and reworded somewhat and as one source says urban myth I added that at the start of the section.RafikiSykes (talk) 18:33, 4 September 2011 (UTC)

I still don't understand why the urban myth about swingers using pampas grass to "signal" passerby should be included on this page; while I can't find any wikipedia policy dealing specifically with inclusion of content that is urban myth, it seems pretty ridiculous to include this particular content (a plant in your yard identifies your sexual lifestyle). To be blunt, it's quite insulting to imply "swingers" would want to "signal" random passerby. The implication is "swingers" are willing to have sex with random people, and are not discreet or discriminatory in the methods used to satisfy their lifestyle. Perhaps this needs to be sent to WP:DRN if we can't come to a consensus. Sanotehu (talk) 02:39, 18 October 2011 (UTC)
 * For example, you don't see any reference to The_Spider_Bite urban myth on either the spider_bite or spider pages. Sanotehu (talk) 02:45, 18 October 2011 (UTC)

There's a report in the SMH today of someone who received unwanted solicitations after planting it, so it seems, to some people at least, it is indeed a signal.
 * http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/tv-presenter-discovers-pampas-grass-on-balcony-is-a-signal-to-swingers-20111130-1o6b5.html


 * There is a lot in the UK press about this today Mariella Frostrup accidentally invites swingers with pampas grass jmb (talk) 17:55, 30 November 2011 (UTC)

As invasive species
In Northern California, and possibly elsewhere Pampas grass is considered an invasive species. Shouldn't this be included in the article? --Jml4000 (talk) 03:07, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

Banded Import Citations
In the Cultivation and uses section there is a Citation needed tag. I have managed to find a single New Zealand government source but other countries still need citations.

New Zealand Source
""Pampas is banned from sale, propagation and distribution in New Zealand.""

South Africa
Defined as a "Category 1" plant |Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act ""Category 1 plants may not occur on any land or inland water surface other than in biological control reserves.""

Peninsular Spain
Citation needed