Festuca trachyphylla

Hard fescue

Formerly known as Festuca longifolia. Densely tufted, cool season, long-lived perennial bunchgrass with a massive, fibrous, shallow root system. Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions except for standing wet or strongly alkaline sites. Establishment is slow but persistent with mature stands being very competitive. Good palatability to livestock and excellent for wildlife. Also used for controlling erosion and as a turfgrass.

Varieties:

Serra

Developed from single plant selections from Scaldis, Waldina and Biljart. These selections were used to achieve a medium dark green color, instead of the normal gray-green. Useful as a drought hardy, low-maintenance turfgrass. (Released 1989, source of ecotype: existing varieties)

Species Attributes

Height:

- 24

in.

Season:

Cool

Life Form:

Bunchgrass

Native or Introduced:

Introduced

Precipitation:

in.

Sun & Shade Tolerance:

Elevation:

ft.

Soil Texture

Coarse:

Marginal

Moderately Coarse:

Average

Medium:

Best

Moderately Fine:

Best

Fine:

Average

Soil pH

Acidic:

Average

Neutral:

Best

Basic:

Not Adapted

Seeding Rate:

- 6

PLS lbs/Acre

Pure Seed per Bushel:

22.50 lbs.

Seeds per Pound:

565,000

Planting Season:

Spring

Fall

Germination Time:

Days

Mycorrhizal Dependent:

Yes

Festuca trachyphylla