Tall Fescue (often appearing as Clumping Tall Fescue or 'K-31' in mixed lawns)
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf, Pasture, and Erosion Control grass
Variety / Cultivar
Likely 'Kentucky 31' (K-31) or a forage-type fescue based on the coarse, bunching habit and wide blades visible in the image.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; performs exceptionally well in the Transition Zone. It enters semi-dormancy in extreme heat or cold but stays green longer into winter than warm-season grasses.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass forming dense individual clumps. It maintains a medium-to-dark green color. Unmowed, it can reach 2-4 feet; maintained as turf, it is dense but susceptible to bunching if the stand thins. Seed heads are open panicles.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is coarse (>4mm), with a flat shape and pointed tips. Blades feature prominent parallel veins/ridges on the upper surface and a dull underside. Vernation is rolled in the bud. The ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent but typically have short hairs (ciliate).
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet deep, which provide excellent drought resistance. It does not form a true sod and has low thatch-forming tendency. Establishment is moderate via seed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized throughout North America, particularly in the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); lacks significant rhizomes or stolons, resulting in distinct tufts or clumps when not seeded densely.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun but has moderate shade tolerance. Requires 4-6 hours of light. Moderate water needs; highly drought-tolerant compared to other cool-season grasses due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended mowing height is 3.0-4.0 inches to prevent clumping and heat stress. Requires 2-4 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Low-to-medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding because it cannot spread to fill bare spots.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance once established, though slow to recover from damage due to bunching habit. Good resistance to many common turf diseases, though susceptible to Brown Patch in high humidity. High salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides soil stabilization on slopes/embankments. Low wildlife food value but provides cover. Can be invasive in native prairies. Often blended with Kentucky Bluegrass to improve durability.