Fescue (Festuca) is a genus of about 300 species of perennial tufted grasses, belonging to the grass family Poaceae (subfamily Pooideae). The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, although the majority of the species are found in cool temperate areas, such as the transition zone and Canada^[1]. The genus is closely related to ryegrass (Lolium), and recent evidence from phylogenetic studies using DNA sequencing of plant mitochondrial DNA shows that the genus lacks monophyly. As a result plant taxonomists have placed several species, including the forage grasses, tall fescue and meadow fescue, formerly belonging to the genus Festuca into the genus Lolium.^[2]

Fescues range from small grasses only 100 mm tall or less with very fine thread-like leaves less than 1 mm wide, to tall grasses up to 2 m tall with large leaves up to 600 mm (2 ft) long and 20 mm (3/4 in.) broad.

Fescue pollen is a significant contributor to hay fever.

Uses

The fescues contain some species which are important grasses for both lawns (particularly the fine-leaved species, highly valued for bowling greens) and as pasture and hay for livestock, being a highly nutritious stock feed. They are also used in soil erosion control programs, most notably tall fescue, one cultivar of which, Kentucky 31 (Festuca arundinacea), was used in land reclamation during the dust bowl period in the 1930s in the US. ^[3]

Fescue is sometimes used as feed for horses. However, fescue poisoning, which results from a fungus, is a risk for pregnant mares^[4]. Occurring in the last three months of pregnancy, fescue poisoning increases the risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirths, retained placenta, absent milk production, and prolonged pregnancy. Incorporating legumes into the fescue can be a way to increase livestock gains and conception rates, even if the fescue is infected^[5].

Selected species

• Festuca alpina ? Alpine Fescue
• Festuca altissima ? Wood Fescue
• Festuca amethystina ? Tufted Fescue
• Festuca amplissima
• Festuca arizonica ? Arizona Fescue
• Festuca caesia ? Blue Fescue
• Festuca californica - California Fescue
• Festuca cinerea
• Festuca diffusa ? Northern Fescue
• Festuca elmeri - Coast Fescue
• Festuca eskia
• Festuca gautieri
• Festuca glacialis
• Festuca glauca ? Grey Fescue
• Festuca heterophylla ? Various-leaved Fescue
• Festuca idahoensis ? Idaho Fescue
• Festuca juncifolia ? Rush-leaved Fescue
• Festuca mairei ? Atlas Fescue
• Festuca matthewsii ? Alpine Fescue Tussock
• Festuca nigrescens ? Alpine Chewing's Fescue
• Festuca novae-zealandiae ? Fescue Tussock
• Festuca occidentalis - Western Fescue
• Festuca ovina ? Sheep's Fescue
• Festuca paniculata ? East Alpine Violet Fescue
• Festuca picturata
• Festuca pilgeri
• Festuca pseudodura
• Festuca punctoria
• Festuca pyrenaica
• Festuca quadriflora
• Festuca richardsonii ? Arctic Fescue
• Festuca rubra ? Red Fescue
• Festuca rubra ssp. commutata ? Chewing's Fescue
• Festuca rupicola
• Festuca sativa
• Festuca scabrella - Rough Fescue
• Festuca subulata - Bearded Fescue
• Festuca subulifolia - Crinkleawn Fescue
• Festuca supina - Tufted Fescue
• Festuca tenuifolia ? Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue
• Festuca viridula - Green Fescue
• Festuca vivipara ? Viviparous Fescue

Subgenus Schedonorus, proposed for inclusion in genus Lolium

• Festuca arundinacea (syn. Festuca elatior, Lolium arundinaceum) ? Tall Fescue
• Festuca gigantea (Lolium giganteum) ? Giant Fescue
• Festuca mazzettiana (Lolium mazzettianum)
• Festuca pratensis (Lolium pratensis) ? Meadow Fescue

References

1. ↑ Tall Fescue Grasses & Fine Fescues
2. ↑
3. ↑
4. ↑ Tall Fescue
5. ↑ Fescue Toxicosis

External links

• How to Select Grass Seed Information and Tips from Greenview
• University of Arizona Extension Service, flora and fauna image gallery

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