Plant of the Month: February, 2001

by Russell Stevens

Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea

Characteristics: Tall fescue is a cool-season introduced perennial bunch grass reaching 4 feet. Erect stems are often rough below the panicle, or seed head. Leaf blades are broad (nearly 1/2 inch wide), slightly thickened, and often rough along the margins. Seeds mature from April through June. The plant prefers low, wet, heavy soils but will grow on well-drained upland soils with adequate moisture. It will also tolerate salty and alkaline soils.

Area of Importance: Eastern Oklahoma and Texas.

Attributes: Tall fescue is an excellent forage for wet climates. It is particularly suited to the eastern portions of Oklahoma and Texas where small grain pastures are not used extensively for grazing, because of wet soils and heavy rainfall. It is long-lived, deep rooted, and, if well managed, a good choice for a perennial winter pasture. Although it is not recommended for wildlife, tall fescue is sometimes browsed by white-tailed deer and turkey and may provide cover for other wildlife species.

Problems: Tall fescue demonstrates poor summer growth and low palatability as it matures, and it may compete with other preferred cool-season forages. Established tall fescue pastures can be killed during drought. Monocultures of tall fescue may cause a symptom called fescue foot in cattle. Tall fescue can also cause serious toxicity problems in horses and other animals.

I.D. Tip: In the winter, look for an upright green grass with slightly thickened, broad, rough-edged leaves.

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Hundreds of plants are identified in the Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery.