Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3-carbon fixation pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae; Subfamily Pooideae; Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, and Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a 'K-31' (Kentucky 31) or older forage-type variety based on the wide blade and distinct bunching habit
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; highly suited for the Transition Zone. Excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; stays green until ground freezes.
About This Grass
A coarse-textured, deep-rooted grass that grows in distinct, tough clumps. When mowed, it maintains a dark to medium green color; if left unmowed, it can reach 3-4 feet. It remains green during cool months but can go semi-dormant in extreme summer heat.
Blade Characteristics
Coarse blade width (>4mm), flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip. Blades feature prominent parallel veins/ridges on the upper surface and a dull underside. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are small or absent (rarely clasping).
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (often 2-3 feet deep), which provides superior drought tolerance. It has a low thatch-forming tendency and slow lateral spread, making it poor at self-repairing bare spots.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely adapted to the Transition Zone of the United States
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming). Does not produce stolons and has very limited rhizome activity, resulting in the isolated circular patches seen in the image.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers Full Sun but has moderate shade tolerance. Requires moderate watering but survives droughts better than most cool-season grasses due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal mowing height is 3.0-4.0 inches. Frequent mowing is required during spring/fall growth flushes. Fertilization needs are moderate (2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft per year). Requires periodic overseeding since it does not spread laterally.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and traffic resistance. High resistance to summer patch and dollar spot, though susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia) in humid conditions. Highly effective for erosion control on slopes.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized in North America. Provides forage for livestock and seeds for birds. Often considered a weed when it appears as an isolated coarse clump in a fine-bladed lawn like Kentucky Bluegrass.