Red Fescue

Festuca rubra

Also known as: Sand Fescue

Red Fescue

Kristian Peters -- Fabelfroh 12:31, 9 September 2006 (UTC)

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Festuca
Species:
Festuca rubra

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
3-4 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug
Bloom Colors:
red
Ground Cover:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Pediasia trisecta, topiary grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia topiaria), Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, well-drained, sandy or loamy
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
thrives in coastal and temperate grasslands

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Soak seeds in fresh water for 2 hours and stratify in peat moss and vermiculite for 3 weeks or until seeds begin to germinate.

Establishment: Seeds are collected between May 1st and July 31st. Mature inflorescences and seeds are light brown. The species is found in northern temperate regions of the world and in North America south to Georgia, Arizona, Colorado, and California.

Source: npn.rngr.net