Tall Fescue (often appearing as clump-forming patches or wild/clump fescue)
Schedonorus arundinaceus (formerly Festuca arundinacea) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass, highly well-adapted to the transition zone
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture/Forage Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Likely common or wild-type forage tall fescue (often contaminates turf lawns as clump fescue), exhibiting wider, coarser texture
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9; excellent heat and cold tolerance; thrives particularly well in the transition zone where other cool-season grasses struggle
About This Grass
Forms dense, upright clumps of coarse, dark green foliage that often stands out noticeably against finer lawns like Kentucky bluegrass or fine fescue. Grows rapidly upward, reaching 2 to 4 feet if unmowed, with a rough, stiff texture
Blade Characteristics
Coarse width (4-8mm), flat shape with prominent parallel veins on the upper surface, pointed tips, medium to dark green color, rolled vernation in the bud, prominent whitish membranous ligule, and small or absent auricles
Root System
Deep fibrous root system going down 2 to 3 feet or more, low to moderate thatch-forming tendency, fast establishment from seed, excellent drought tolerance due to deep roots
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely introduced and cultivated throughout North America, particularly the transition zone and cooler regions
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming), though modern turf cultivars have short rhizomes; older or wild types are strictly bunch-type forming distinct coarse clumps
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; moderate water needs once established, highly drought-tolerant due to deep root system; prefers well-drained loamy soils with pH between 5.5 and 7.5
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height 2.5 to 4 inches; needs frequent mowing during peak spring growth due to rapid vertical growth; low to medium maintenance level; 2 to 4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually
Special Characteristics
High wear and traffic tolerance; good disease and insect resistance; moderate salt tolerance; excellent drought recovery; persistent green color into late autumn and mild winters
Ecological Information
Introduced species widely used for pasture and turf; provides good erosion control on slopes due to deep roots; medium wildlife value; often considered a weed when coarse clumps invade fine turf lawns
Notes
Which