Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Poaceae

Genus:

Festuca

Species:

Festuca cretacea

USDA Symbol:

FECR2

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

60 cm

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

may,jun,jul

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from basal crown after fire; typical of prairie bunchgrasses.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

chalky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

6.0 - 7.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to chalk grasslands, prefers calcareous soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI