Relatives
Festuca trachyphylla (Hack.) Krajina - Rough-leaf fescue
Taxonomical position.
Family Poaceae Benth. Genera Festuca L.Morphology and biology.
This is a perennial cereal. The plant is glaucescent or green and forms large, friable turfs. Stalks reach heights of 20-50 cm. Vaginas are split almost to the base; leaves are drooping, (0.4) 0.7-1.2 mm in diameter, rough on the outside, with sparse pubescence. Panicle reaches (3.5)5-8 cm in length; the axis and branchlets are sharply rough. Spikelet is 6-10 mm in length; the bottom floral scales reach a length of 4-4.5 mm with an awn (1.5)2-3 mm in length. This plant blossoms in May-August. It is anemophilous. Chromosome number: 2n=28 (42).Distribution.
Occurs throughout wood and forest-steppe zones within the European part of the former USSR up to the Oka-Volga region, as well as in Western Europe.Ecology.
Occurs in rarefied woods, in wood glades, and in riverbank sands.Use and economic value.
This is a fodder plant.Reference citations:
Hulten E., Fries M. 1986. Atlas of Northern European Vascular Plants, North of the Tropic of Cancer. Vol. 1-3. Konigstein. 1172 p.Shelyag-Sosonko Yu.R., ed. 1977. Cereals of Ukraine. Kiev: Naukova Dumka. 518 p.
Tzvelev N.N. 1976. Cereals of the USSR. Leningrad: Nauka. 788 p.