Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a blend of modern cultivars such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; has high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass but can undergo summer dormancy or crown death in extreme heat/drought, as seen in the photo.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured turfgrass with a deep green color. It grows in distinct clumps or bunches. In the image, large areas of brown, desiccated dormant/dead turf are visible, contrasting with the dark green healthy bunches surrounding the patch.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width is medium to coarse (3-6mm); shape is flat with a distinctly pointed tip (not boat-shaped); color is dark green; vernation is rolled in the bud; leaf surface has prominent longitudinal veins; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are generally absent or very small.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep), which provides excellent drought resistance compared to other cool-season grasses. Forms a dense sod only if seeded heavily; low thatch tendency.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized across North America, particularly the U.S. Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occassional short rhizomes; lacks extensive spreading capability, leading to the patchy appearance when damaged.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade; requires moderate watering but is highly drought-tolerant once established; prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5 to 7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height: 3.0 to 4.0 inches; mowing frequency is weekly during peak growth; medium maintenance level; fertilization: 2-4 lbs N per 1000 sq ft annually; requires overseeding to repair bare patches.
Special Characteristics
High wear tolerance; good shade tolerance; highly susceptible to Brown Patch (Rhizoctonia solani) during hot, humid nights which may cause the large circular die-off patterns seen in the image.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America; used for soil stabilization due to deep roots; low wildlife value for food but provides cover; modern cultivars often contain endophytes (fungi) that provide natural resistance to leaf-feeding insects.