Fescue

Scientific Name: 

Festuca sp.

Physical Appearance: 

• Corse grass that grows densely 

• Grows in individual blades that are very straight and vertical 

•  The blades are ribbed on the top but smooth on the bottom 

• When it blooms it looks similar to grain or wheat as it 

When Does It Grow: 

• Winter and fall seasons are preferred but you will see this guy all year long

Preferred Environment: 

• Drought tolerant which makes them pretty adaptable to different conditions, but prefer cool weather conditions 

• Open plains of grassland 

• The “transitions zone” 

Role in the Ecosystem: 

• Super persistent plant and is known to outcompete other plants in its surroundings 

  • This is because the plants are kinda of sly as they release a special type of amino acid called meta-tyrosine into the soil from their roots…  once these amino acids are absorbed by other plants they die off 

• Some fescues are able to host endophytes 

  • These are fungi that can live SYMBIOTICALLY with the fescue (do you remember what that vocab word means?) 

  • The fungi is able to help the fescue resist environmental stresses like heat and drought and can even provide insect resistance

Random: 

• Fescue stays green all year long 

• Has been used in conservation and restoration projects 

• Known to be used food for livestock, especially horses, but can occasionally can cause poisoning issues and birth defects for pregnant horses 

• Fescue can be found in athletic fields, lawns, and in turf! Kinda wild right?