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Festuca rubra

Festuca rubra L.

Red Fescue

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: feru2

USDA Native Status: L48 (NI), AK (NI), HI (I), CAN (NI), GL (NI), SPM (N)

This species includes subspecies that are North American natives. However, it also includes subspecies that are not native to North America, e.g. Festuca rubra ssp. fallax, Chewing's Fescue. Non-native taxa are not treated in this database.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Flowering time varies over its range.

Distribution

USA: AK , AL , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , GA , HI , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Habitat: Prairie/Meadow/Field

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Clay, Loam
Conditions Comments: Red fescue is not shade tolerant.

Benefit

Attracts: Birds

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Plants to control hillside erosion in Vermont
May 23, 2008
Hi, I am trying to do an eagle project that involves putting vegetation onto a hill to prevent erosion. I live in Vermont. What kinds of plants would hold together a hillside and could be planted in ...
view the full question and answer

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACU	FAC	FAC		FACU	FAC	FACU	FACU	FACU	FAC

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

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

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Festuca rubra in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Festuca rubra in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Festuca rubra

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-03-09
Research By: TWC Staff

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