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Common Name: Tall Fescue

Other Names: Alta Fescue, Reed Fescue

Species Name: Schedonorus arundinaceus

Plant Type: Grasses & Grass-like

Family Name: Poaceae, Grass Family

Tribe: Poeae, Bluegrass Tribe

 

 

Plant Facts  
Origin Europe
Duration Perennial
Season Cool
Distribution in the U.S. Throughout the country
Distribution in Oklahoma Eastern third of the state

 

 

ID Characteristics

  • Field Identification Characteristics

    Vegetative

    • Dark green leaves with many obvious veins
    • Hairy auricles
    • Bunch grass
    • Typically dead by the heat of summer; golden brown in color

    Floral

    • Long, narrow seed head
    • Branching in pairs from each node
  • Leaf and Stem Characteristics
    • Plant Height: 40-120 centimeters
    • Ligule Type: Membranous
    • Sheath: Glabrous
    • Leaves: Basal and cauline
  • Floral Characteristics
    • Inflorescence Type: Panicles
    • Florets Per Spikelet: 4-5
    • Glumes: Unequal

 

 

Habitat/Ecology  
Soil Type Various soil types if moist; best growth in silty, clay loam
Habitat Introduced pastures and right-of-ways
Successional Stage Early to mid, but can invade all stages

 

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