Disturbed sites, roadsides, ditches, pastures. At Fontenelle Forest, Tall Fescue is common in the planting east of the Hitchcock Wetlands Learning Center (B). A shorter variety forms a sizable clump just below the patio of the Buffett Forest Learning Center along Hackberry Trail (C). At Neale Woods it is common where it was planted for cover in the River Road ditch in front of ranger’s residence (E) and on the dam in Raccoon Hollow. Flowering occurs mainly from May to July, occasionally into October.

Although the majority of our plants are believed to be Tall Fescue, another introduced species, Meadow Fescue (Lolium pratense), is also present. Subtle differences in the auricles separate them.

A native of Europe, Tall Fescue has been planted extensively for use as hay, forage and erosion control. Low-growing races are also commonly used as a turf grass. Commercial development of various races for specific purposes has resulted in a great degree of variability in this species and prompted a number of common names for different varieties including Kentucky-31, Alta, Reed and Coarse Fescue.

A mutualistic fungus often infects this plant, producing a toxin which affects a small percentage of livestock grazing on infected fescue. They develop a condition known as “summer slump” characterized by reduced weight gain, reduced milk production and heat stress due to increased body temperature. It also can cause lameness known as “fescue foot”.