Idaho Fescue
Festuca idahoensis
Chris Wagner
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Festuca
- Species:
- Festuca idahoensis
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 3-4 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Bloom Months:
- apr, may, jun, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- Yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy to loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds placed in 0-1°C (32-34°F) for a 10-day cold stratification treatment and then exposed to 22-25°C (72-77°F). Alternatively, germination can occur in the presence of light or after a short after-ripening period. Some protocols suggest no pre-treatment is required.
Establishment: Germination times and pre-treatment protocols vary between protocols. Seed collection times also vary, with most suggesting mid to late July or August. Propagation collections can range from small hand-collected lots to large harvested lots. The plant is native to mesic grasslands and open forests over much of temperate western North America.
Source: npn.rngr.net