- Fescue
Taxobox
name = Fescue
image_width = 240px
image_caption = Meadow Fescue ("Festuca pratensis")
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Liliopsida
ordo =Poales
familia =Poaceae
genus = "Festuca"
genus_authority = L.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =Some 300, see textFescue ("Festuca") is a
genus of about 300species of perennial tuftedgrass es, belonging to the grass familyPoaceae (subfamilyPooideae ). The genus has acosmopolitan distribution , although the majority of the species are found in cool temperate areas, such as thetransition zone and Canada [ [http://www.fescue.com/ Tall Fescue Grasses & Fine Fescues] ] . The genus is closely related toryegrass ("Lolium "), and recent evidence from phylogenetic studies usingDNA sequencing of plant mitochondrialDNA shows that the genus lacksmonophyly . As a result planttaxonomist s have placed several species, including the forage grasses, tall fescue and meadow fescue, formerly belonging to the genus "Festuca" into the genus "Lolium".cite journal|author=Darbyshire, S J|year= 1993|title=Realignment of "Festuca" subgenus "Schedonorus" with the genus "Lolium" (Poaceae)|journal=Novon|volume=3|pages=239–243|doi=10.2307/3391460]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 (2 ft) long and 20 mm (3/4 in.) broad.
Fescue
pollen is a significant contributor tohay fever .Uses
The fescues contain some species which are important grasses for both
lawn s (particularly the fine-leaved species, highly valued forbowling green s) and aspasture andhay forlivestock , being a highly nutritious stock feed. They are also used insoil erosion control programs, most notably tall fescue, one cultivar of which, Kentucky 31 (Festuca arundinacea ), was used in land reclamation during thedust bowl period in the 1930s in the US. cite book|author= Schardl C L, Leuchtmann L|title=The Epichloë Endophytes of Grasses and the Symbiotic Continuum|page=475-503| publisher =CRC Press |editor= The Fungal Community: Its Organization and Role in the Ecosystem, Third Edition, ed. J Dighton, J F White Jr., P Oudemans|year = 2005|isbn = 0824723554]Fescue is sometimes used as feed for
horse s. However, fescue poisoning, which results from a fungus, is a risk for pregnant mares [ [http://www.vet.purdue.edu/depts/addl/toxic/plant15.htm Tall Fescue] ] . 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. Incorporatinglegumes into the fescue can be a way to increase livestock gains and conception rates, even if the fescue is infected [ [http://ohioline.osu.edu/agf-fact/0008.html Fescue Toxicosis] ] .elected species
*"
Festuca alpina " — Alpine Fescue
*"Festuca altissima " — Wood Fescue
*"Festuca amethystina " — Tufted Fescue
*"Festuca amplissima "
*"Festuca arizonica " — Arizona Fescue
*"Festuca caesia " — Blue Fescue
*"Festuca californica " - California Fescue
*"Festuca cinerea "
*"Festuca diffusa " — Northern Fescue
*"Festuca elmeri " - Coast Fescue
*"Festuca eskia "
*"Festuca gautieri "
*"Festuca glacialis "
*"Festuca glauca " — Grey Fescue
*"Festuca heterophylla " — Various-leaved Fescue
*"Festuca idahoensis " — Idaho Fescue
*"Festuca juncifolia " — Rush-leaved Fescue
*"Festuca mairei " — Atlas Fescue
*"Festuca matthewsii " — Alpine Fescue Tussock
*"Festuca nigrescens " — Alpine Chewing's Fescue
*"Festuca novae-zealandiae " — Fescue Tussock
*"Festuca occidentalis " - Western Fescue
*"Festuca ovina " —Sheep's Fescue
*"Festuca paniculata " — East Alpine Violet Fescue
*"Festuca picturata "
*"Festuca pilgeri "
*"Festuca pseudodura "
*"Festuca punctoria "
*"Festuca pyrenaica "
*"Festuca quadriflora "
*"Festuca richardsonii " — Arctic Fescue
*"Festuca rubra " — Red Fescue
*"Festuca rubra ssp. commutata " —Chewing's Fescue
*"Festuca rupicola "
*"Festuca sativa "
*"Festuca scabrella " -Rough Fescue
*"Festuca subulata " - Bearded Fescue
*"Festuca subulifolia " - Crinkleawn Fescue
*"Festuca supina " - Tufted Fescue
*"Festuca tenuifolia " — Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue
*"Festuca viridula " - Green Fescue
*"Festuca vivipara " — Viviparous FescueSubgenus "Schedonorus", proposed for inclusion in genus "Lolium"
*"Festuca arundinacea " (syn. "Festuca elatior", "Lolium arundinaceum") — Tall Fescue
*"Festuca gigantea " ("Lolium giganteum") — Giant Fescue
*"Festuca mazzettiana " ("Lolium mazzettianum")
*"Festuca pratensis " ("Lolium pratensis") — Meadow FescueReferences
External links
* [http://www.greenviewfertilizer.com/articles/choosing-top-grass-seed How to Select Grass Seed] Information and Tips from Greenview
* [http://imagedb.calsnet.arizona.edu:8080/imagedb/servlet/DBDisplayTaxon?tdisplay=4&taxon_name=Festuca University of Arizona Extension Service] , flora and fauna image gallery
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