Native Plant Database

Festuca occidentalis Hook.

Western fescue

Poaceae (Grass Family)

A medium-sized bunchgrass with narrow, green leaves and flowering culms to 3 ft. tall. Spikelets occur on the drooping, wiry branches of the large, open panicle.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Leaf: Dark Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA , ID , MI , MT , OR , SD , UT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: AB , BC , ON
Native Distribution: B.C. to c. CA, e. to MT & WY; in Canada e. to w. Ont. & s. to n. MI
Native Habitat: Rocky, wooded stream banks; lake margins; moist to dry woods; below 6500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Dry to moist, rocky soil.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Last Update: 2007-01-01