What is "feathertop"

1. n. northeastern tropical African plant having feathery panicles [syn: feathertop grass, Pennistum villosum]

2. a variety of reed grass [syn: feather reed grass, Calamagrostis acutiflora]

"Feathertop" is a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, first published in 1852. The moral tale uses a metaphoric scarecrow named Feathertop and its adventure to offer the reader a conclusive lesson about human character. It was first published in 1852. It has since been used and adapted in several other media forms, such as opera and theatre.