Festuca idahoensis

Festuca idahoensis is a species of grass known by the common names Idaho fescue and blue bunchgrass. It is native to western North America, where it is widespread and common. It can be found in many ecosystems, from shady forests to open plains grasslands.

Festuca idahoensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Pooideae
Genus: Festuca
Species:
F. idahoensis
Binomial name
Festuca idahoensis
Synonyms[1][2]

Festuca amethystina subvar. idahoensis (Elmer) St.-Yves

Description

This fescue is a densely clumping long-lived perennial bunch grass with stems from about 30 to 80 centimeters in height.[3] The stiff, short, rolling leaves are mostly located near the base of the tuft. The inflorescence has hairy spikelets which produce large awned fruits. The root system is thick and penetrates deeply into the soil. The roots have symbiotic mycorrhizae. There are no rhizomes; the plant reproduces from seeds and from budding with tillers.

It is similar to, but generally taller and larger than, Poa secunda.[4]

Ecology

The species can grow in well-soiled areas along with ponderosa pine.[4]

This is a nutritious and preferred forage grass for wild and domestic animals. Typical native grass associates in the far west coastal prairies are Danthonia californica, Deschampsia caespitosa and Nassella pulchra.[5] It is a popular larval host, supporting Lindsey's skipper, sandhill skipper, Sonora skipper, woodland skipper, and western banded skipper caterpillars.[6]

Cultivars, such as "Siskiyou Blue," are produced in the horticulture industry for landscape design and garden use.[7]

References
  1. "Festuca idahoensis Elmer". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  2. "Festuca idahoensis Elmer". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  3. Jepson Manual. 1993
  4. Taylor, Ronald J. (1994) [1992]. Sagebrush Country: A Wildflower Sanctuary (rev. ed.). Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Pub. Co. p. 70. ISBN 0-87842-280-3. OCLC 25708726.
  5. C. Michael Hogan. 2009
  6. The Xerces Society (2016), Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects, Timber Press.
  7. "Grasses and Grasslike plants_Acorus gramineus_Native Sons".

Notes
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