Chionochloa conspicua,  hunangamoho or broad-leaved bush tussock is endemic to North, South & Stewart Islands, that occurs in two forms. C.conspicua ssp. conspicua occurs throughout the higher rainfall areas of the South Island, although in the lower-rainfall ares east of the Main Divide it is restricted to Banks & Otago peninsulas. Also occurs  on Stewart Island. It grows in forest, scrub, along streamsides, and in some cleared areas. Sea level to 1225 m asl. C. conspicua ssp. cunninghamii occurs in the North Island in limited areas of Northland, Coromandel Peninsula, the East Cape mountains, Mount Pirongia and Herangi Range, and Ruahine Range south to Cooks Strait. Usually grows in forest, scrub, on cliff faces and in rocky clearings. Sea level to 1500m asl. This is the largest species of Chionochloa and deserves used far more in gardens. It is a rather magnificent plant that can look similar to toetoe (Cortaderia), but horticulturally is far better suited for the garden. It can make a fine plant as a feature in the garden both as a solitary specimen or in a group in a border. It is a very effective landscape plant if it is able to be planted in a large group. It tolerates a wide variety of conditions, thriving in full sun to quite shady positions, but does not like very exposed sites where it gets lots on strong winds or salt-laden wind off the sea. It does prefer a moist soil but can tolerate quite dry conditions for short periods. It forms a rather dense, robust tussock up to 1m+ tall with leaves that can be up to 1.2m long. It has open dainty flower-plumes December-January on stems up to 1.8m long that are usually drooping.