Mat-Grass Fescue
Festuca maritima
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, France, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
Sam Thomas (www.flickr.com),Jacques Maréchal,José Luis Romero Rego,Mathieu Menand,Jacques Maréchal,Jacques Maréchal,José Luis Romero Rego,José Luis Romero Rego,José Luis Romero Rego,José Luis Romero Rego,José Luis Romero Rego,Jacques Maréchal
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Festuca
- Species:
- Festuca maritima
- USDA Symbol:
- VUUN
Growth Characteristics
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from base after fire; typical cool-season grass fire response.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal areas, tolerates salt spray
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at cool temperatures. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI