Alpine Fescue
Festuca brachyphylla
Also known as: Greenland Fescue
- Native to:
- Aleutian Is., Canada, China, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Labrador, Russia, Svalbard, Sweden, Tadzhikistan, United States
iNaturalist: © brucebennett (iNaturalist #58561133)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Festuca
- Species:
- Festuca brachyphylla
- USDA Symbol:
- FEBR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 25 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Arctic woolly bear moth (Gynaephora groenlandica), Miriama's skipper (Hesperia miriamae), Sandhill Skipper (Polites sabuleti)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal meristems after fire; typical of alpine and arctic bunchgrasses.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in alpine and subalpine regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Cool temperatures (10-15°C) favor germination. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI