Of this plant, M. Carriere writes as follows in the Revue Horticole: "Nothing can be finer or more graceful than this species, which is still so rare, in spite of the readiness with which it can be propagated. Its numerous, slender branchlets, of a glaucescent green hue, bear a certain resemblance to the curled plumes of the ostrich (or the white stork), whence its popular name of 'Marabout.' It flowers in August, about the same time as T. indica. The flowers, which are disposed in dense erect panicles, have an airy lightness, which adds much to the elegance of the foliage. Isolated on a lawn, or in a large park, T. plumosa forms a compact mass of the most pleasing appearance. It is quite as hardy as T. indica, and propagated and treated in precisely the same manner."