Festuca

Festuca is a genus of grasses in the family Poaceae, commonly known as fescues. It comprises numerous species native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Fescues vary from fine-leaved turf types to coarse, tufted forage grasses, and many form dense clumps while others spread by short rhizomes or stolons.

Fescues are cool-season grasses (C3) that generally tolerate cooler climates and poorer soils better than many other grasses. They prefer well-drained soils but many species are adaptable to a range of moisture and fertility conditions. Leaf blades are typically narrow and flexible, and inflorescences are panicles characteristic of the genus.

Ecology and uses: Fine-leaved fescues such as creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra) and hard fescues are widely used for turf, especially in shady or dry sites and for low-maintenance lawns. Taller species like meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) are common in pastures, hay meadows, and erosion-control mixes. Fescues are also used in ornamental and meadow plantings and for restoration projects.

Management notes: Some tall fescue populations harbor endophytic fungi that can produce alkaloids, which may cause livestock toxicosis if consumed in high amounts. Fescue species can exhibit variable tolerance to heat, drought, and pests, requiring species- or cultivar-specific management, including mowing height, fertilization, and reseeding.