noun
ear of Japanese pampas grass; plume of Miscanthus sinensis
Refers specifically to the flowering plume of susuki (薄/すすき), often associated with autumn scenery and the moon-viewing festival.
See also: 薄 (すすき)
秋の野に尾花が風に揺れている。
In the autumn field, the plumes of pampas grass are swaying in the wind.
お月見には尾花を飾る。
We decorate with pampas grass plumes for the moon-viewing festival.
薄 refers to the whole plant (Japanese pampas grass), while 尾花 specifically means its flowering ear or plume.
Compound of 尾 (o, 'tail') and 花 (hana, 'flower'), referring to the tail-like appearance of the grass plume. The reading obana is a rendaku form.