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Festuca occidentalis
Festuca occidentalis Hook.
Western Fescue
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Festuca ovina var. polyphylla
USDA Symbol: feoc
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
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.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 3-1/2 feet tall.
Leaf: Dark Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: CA , ID , MI , MT , OR , SD , UT , WA , WI , WYCanada: 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.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Dry to moist, rocky soil.
Propagation
Description: Sow seed.Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Festuca occidentalis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Festuca occidentalis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Festuca occidentalis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-25Research By: TWC Staff