New Zealand has 22 endemic species of Chionochloa, including C. rubra, which has a distinctive appearance from other members in the genus.

C. rubra has a long life span, meaning there is rarely dead foliage surrounding the plant — giving the species a clean, sleek and vertical look.

In general, C. rubra is a tall brown reddish plant with slender leaves that clump together forming its classic arc shape.

[5][6] It is dispersed from the central volcanic fields and Huiarau Range to Stewart Island, and from the lower area of the penalpine belt to sea level in south of New Zealand.

"[7] Red tussock (C. rubra) is predominantly found in Tall tussock-grassland, and covers most of the pumice-scoria soil located on the volcanic plateau between 900 and 1200 m in altitude.

[7][8] Red tussock (Chionochloa rubra) is a useful species in aiding the reestablishment of natural habitats, particularly as a buffer plant around wetland areas.

[3] The area of volcanic plateau is no longer untouched, with wild horses and cows having fed on it for many years and more recently rabbits having become common visitors on these tussock lands.

Another fly was an unclassified cecidomyiid, which lays its eggs in the pollen of the floret during flowering, hatching into early-stage larvae.

The moth is Megacraspedus Calamogonus (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) which has large, active caterpillars and appears in the early season.