Fescue

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iFescue

Meadow Fescue (Festuca pratensis)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Festuca L.

Species

See text

Fescue (Festuca) is a genus of about 300 species of tufted grasses, belonging to the grass family Poaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, although the majority of the species are found in cool temperate areas. The genus is closely related to ryegrass (Lolium) and is incorporated within that genus by some botanists.

Fescues range from small grasses only 100 mm tall or less with very fine thread-like leaves less than 1 mm wide, to tall grasses up to 2 m tall with large leaves up to 600 mm long and 20 mm broad.

Fescue pollen is a significant contributor to hay fever.

[edit] Uses

The fescues contain some species which are important grasses for both lawns (particularly the fine-leaved species, highly valued for bowling greens) and as pasture and hay for livestock, being a highly nutritious stock feed. They are also used in soil erosion control programs.

Fescues are colloquially known in the Northeastern United States, particularly around golf courses, as "fellescue".

Fescue is sometimes used as feed for horses. However, fescue poisoning, which results from a fungus, is a risk for pregnant mares. Occurring in the last three months of pregnancy, fescue poisoning increases the risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirths, retained placenta, absent milk production, and prolonged pregnancy.