Sheep Fescue
Festuca ovina
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuril Is., Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Transcaucasus, Turkmenistan, Ukraine
Rasbak
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Festuca
- Species:
- Festuca ovina
- USDA Symbol:
- FEOV
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 45 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- green
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Great Basin fritillary (Speyeria egleis), Nevada skipper (Hesperia nevada)
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 basal crown after fire; tolerates periodic burning typical of grassland management.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in grasslands and heathlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 10–21 days
- Notes:
- Germinates readily at cool temperatures (15-20°C). Light not required but surface sowing improves germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seed dormancy is physiological dormancy
Source: npn.rngr.net