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Rush-leaved Fescue

Festuca arenaria

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Poales
Family:
Poaceae (Grass)
Also in this family:
Alpine Catstail, Alpine Foxtail, Alpine Meadow-grass, Annual Beard-grass, Annual Meadow-grass, Arrow Bamboo, Barren Brome Grass, Bearded Couch Grass, Bearded Fescue, Bermuda Grass, Black Bent, Black Grass, Blue Fescue, Blue Moor-grass, Bog Hair-grass, Borrer's Saltmarsh Grass, Bread Wheat, Bristle Bent, Brown Bent, Brown Sedge, Bulbous Foxtail, Bulbous Meadow-grass, California Brome Grass, Canary Grass, Carnation Sedge, Cocksfoot, Cockspur, Common Bent, Common Cord-grass, Common Millet, Common Reed, Common Saltmarsh Grass, Compact Brome Grass, Corn, Couch Grass, Creeping Bent, Creeping Soft-grass, Crested Dog's-tail, Crested Hair-grass, Cultivated Oat, Curved Hard Grass, Cut Grass, Dense Silky Bent, Downy Oat-grass, Drooping Brome Grass, Drooping Tor Grass, Dune Fescue, Early Hair-grass, Early Meadow-grass, Early Sand-grass, False Brome Grass, False Oat-grass, Fern Grass, Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue, Flattened Meadow-grass, Floating Sweet-grass, Foxtail Barley, French Oat, Giant Fescue, Glaucous Meadow-grass, Great Brome Grass, Greater Quaking Grass, Grey Hair-grass, Hairy Brome Grass, Hairy Finger-grass, Hard Fescue, Hard Grass, Harestail Grass, Heath Grass, Holy Grass, Hybrid Marram Grass, Italian Rye Grass, Knotroot Bristlegrass, Lesser Hairy Brome Grass, Lesser Quaking Grass, Loose Silky Bent, Lyme Grass, Marram Grass, Marsh Foxtail, Mat Grass, Mat-grass Fescue, Meadow Barley, Meadow Fescue, Meadow Foxtail, Meadow Oat-grass, Mountain Melick, Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass, Narrow-leaved Small-reed, Neglected Couch Grass, Nit Grass, Orange Foxtail, Pampas Grass, Perennial Rye Grass, Plicate Sweet-grass, Purple Moor-grass, Purple Small-reed, Purple-stem Catstail, Quaking Grass, Ratstail Fescue, Red Fescue, Reed Canary Grass, Reed Sweet-grass, Reflexed Saltmarsh Grass, Rescue Grass, Rough Meadow-grass, Sand Catstail, Sand Couch Grass, Scandinavian Small-reed, Scottish Small-reed, Sea Barley, Sea Couch Grass, Sea Fern Grass, Sheep's Fescue, Silver Hair-grass, Six-rowed Barley, Slender Brome Grass, Small Cord-grass, Small Sweet-grass, Smaller Catstail, Smooth Brome Grass, Smooth Cord-grass, Smooth Finger-grass, Smooth Meadow-grass, Soft Brome Grass, Somerset Hair-grass, Sorghum, Spreading Meadow-grass, Squirreltail Fescue, Stiff Brome Grass, Stiff Saltmarsh Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Tall Fescue, Timothy Grass, Tor Grass, Tufted Hair-grass, Two-rowed Barley, Upright Brome Grass, Velvet Bent, Viviparous Fescue, Wall Barley, Wavy Hair-grass, Wavy Meadow-grass, Whorl Grass, Wild Oat, Wood Barley, Wood Fescue, Wood Meadow-grass, Wood Melick, Wood Millet, Yellow Oat-grass, Yorkshire Fog
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
50 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Beaches, sand dunes, sea cliffs, seaside.

Flower:
֍
Green, no petals
 
Flowers are green, tinged reddish. The spikelets are between 10 and 16mm long. 3 stamens. Similar in appearance to Red Fescue (Festuca rubra).
Fruit:
The fruit is a caryopsis which is a type of dry, one-seeded fruit.
Leaves:
Thick, linear, tightly inrolled leaves, up to 6mm wide and sharply pointed. The ligules are up to 2.5cm in length. Perennial.
Other Names:
Beach Fescue, Rush-leaf Fescue, Sand Fescue.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Similar Species

Red Fescue

Other Information

Summary

Festuca arenaria, also known as sand fescue or beach fescue, is a species of grass in the genus Festuca. It is native to Europe, but it can be found in other parts of the world as well. It is a species that is well adapted to growing in coastal dunes and sand beaches.

Festuca arenaria is a low growing grass, typically reaching about 6-12 inches tall. The leaves are narrow and linear, and are blue-green or gray-green in color. The flowers are arranged in a spike-like inflorescence, which may be short or long, and are usually green or brownish-green in color. It forms a dense, low-growing tuft that can spread by rhizomes and seed.

This grass prefers well-drained soils, and it is particularly adapted to growing in sandy soils, hence the common name "sand fescue" or "beach fescue". It is tolerant of salt and wind, and can handle some shade, but it grows best in full sun. It is often used in landscaping as a ground cover or a low-maintenance turf alternative, particularly in coastal areas and in areas with poor soil.

It is hardy in USDA zones 3-9, and it is relatively easy to grow if given suitable conditions. It is not considered as threatened species and it is commonly available commercially. Festuca arenaria varieties are used for ornamental lawns, golf course fairways, and sports field turf, it is also used for stabilizing sand dunes and for shoreline stabilization.

Blog

Rush-leaved Fescue, also known as Festuca arenaria, is a type of grass that is native to Europe and is found growing in a variety of habitats, including sand dunes, heaths, and meadows. This grass is particularly well-adapted to dry and sandy soils, making it a popular choice for landscaping and erosion control in arid areas.

Appearance and Characteristics

Rush-leaved Fescue is a perennial grass that grows to be approximately 10-50 cm tall. Its leaves are narrow and wiry, measuring around 1 mm in width, and the stems are tough and erect. The plant produces greenish flowers in the summer months, which can grow up to 50 cm in length. Rush-leaved Fescue is a cool-season grass, meaning it thrives in cooler temperatures and may go dormant during hot summer months.

Uses

Rush-leaved Fescue has a number of practical uses, particularly in the landscaping and agricultural industries. Due to its ability to grow in dry and sandy soils, it is often used to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes and embankments. It is also commonly used in the construction of sand dunes and other coastal habitats.

In agriculture, Rush-leaved Fescue is often used as a forage grass for livestock. Although it is not particularly palatable to animals, it is able to grow in areas where other grasses cannot, making it a valuable source of food in harsh climates. It can also be used as a turfgrass for lawns and parks, particularly in areas where water is scarce.

Ecological Value

Rush-leaved Fescue is an important plant for maintaining healthy ecosystems, particularly in coastal areas. The deep roots of the plant help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, while the tough stems provide shelter for small animals and insects. The seeds of the plant are also an important food source for birds, particularly in the winter months.

Conservation Status

While Rush-leaved Fescue is not considered to be a threatened species, it is important to protect the habitats where it grows. Sand dune ecosystems, in particular, are often under threat from development and human activity, which can disrupt the delicate balance of plant and animal life. By protecting the habitats where Rush-leaved Fescue grows, we can help to preserve the ecological diversity of these areas.

Growing and Caring for Rush-leaved Fescue

Rush-leaved Fescue is a hardy grass that is easy to grow and care for, particularly in areas with sandy or well-drained soils. The plant can be grown from seed, which should be planted in the spring or fall when temperatures are cooler. Seeds should be planted in a well-prepared seedbed, with soil that has been tilled and cleared of any debris.

Once established, Rush-leaved Fescue requires little maintenance, particularly in areas with adequate rainfall. However, in drier climates, the plant may need to be watered regularly to ensure healthy growth. Fertilization is generally not necessary, but a light application of nitrogen fertilizer may be beneficial in the spring or fall.

Harvesting and Utilizing Rush-leaved Fescue

Rush-leaved Fescue is often used as a forage grass for livestock, particularly in areas where other grasses cannot grow. However, the plant is not particularly palatable to animals, and may need to be mixed with other forage grasses to provide a well-rounded diet.

The seeds of Rush-leaved Fescue are also an important food source for birds and other small animals. In some areas, the plant is collected for its seeds and used as a food source for game birds, such as quail and pheasant.

In addition to its practical uses, Rush-leaved Fescue is also commonly used in ornamental landscaping. The grass is particularly well-suited to coastal landscapes and other areas with sandy soils, where it can be used to provide a natural, low-maintenance ground cover.

Facts about Rush-leaved Fescue

Here are some more facts about Rush-leaved Fescue:

  • The Latin name for Rush-leaved Fescue is Festuca arenaria.
  • The plant is native to Europe and is commonly found growing in sand dunes, heaths, and meadows.
  • Rush-leaved Fescue is a cool-season grass, meaning it thrives in cooler temperatures and may go dormant during hot summer months.
  • The plant produces greenish flowers in the summer months, which can grow up to 50 cm in length.
  • Rush-leaved Fescue is well-adapted to dry and sandy soils, making it a popular choice for landscaping and erosion control in arid areas.
  • The deep roots of the plant help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, while the tough stems provide shelter for small animals and insects.
  • The seeds of Rush-leaved Fescue are an important food source for birds, particularly in the winter months.
  • Rush-leaved Fescue is an important plant for maintaining healthy ecosystems, particularly in coastal areas.
  • The plant is often used as a forage grass for livestock, particularly in areas where other grasses cannot grow.

In summary, Rush-leaved Fescue is a hardy and versatile grass that plays an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and promoting sustainable land use practices. With its ability to grow in dry and sandy soils, the plant is a valuable resource for communities in arid regions, providing a natural and sustainable source of vegetation and ground cover. Whether used for erosion control, livestock forage, or as a valuable source of food and shelter for wildlife, Rush-leaved Fescue is a valuable and practical plant with a wide range of uses.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map