Turffiles:Turfgrasses:Fescue, Fine

Info Sheet

Maint. Calendars

Articles

Presentations

Guides

Reports

Alerts

News

Printable PDF
(71.2 kB)

Fescue, Fine

[Festuca spp.]

Fine fescue species include creeping red, chewings, hard, and sheep fescue. All fine-leaf fescues are bunch-type grasses except creeping red fescue which is rhizomatous. Fine fescues are some of the most fine-textured turfgrasses available. Due to their superb shade tolerance and ability to recuperate from stresses, fine fescues are often mixed with tall fescue to enhance performance in shady areas.

Characteristic	Description
Seedhead / Flower	panicle; seedhead is a closed, coarse panicle
Vernation Type	leaves folded in the bud
Ligule Type	membranous; rounded, 0.01 inches (0.3 mm) long
Growth Season / Life Cycle	cool season turf
Auricle Type	absent
Leaf Blade Tip Shape	sharp-pointed; bristle-like with whitish cast, deeply ridged on inner surface
Leaf Blade Width
Stolon Presence	absent
Rhizome Presence	absent except in creeping red fescue; red fescue rhizomes are slender and short
Collar Type	indistinct, divided in some species, continuous in others
Sheath Margin	open
Sheath Type	sheath is smooth or covered with short hairs; red fescue sheath is round; sheath of other species is flattened


fine fescue ligule	fine fescue plant

Note: Still not sure this is the right turfgrass? The Turf & Weed Identification Decision Aid may help. Check the TurfFiles glossary for definitions of unfamiliar terms.

Need help in selecting the best turfgrass for your particular situation? The Turf/Cultivar Selection Decision Aid will help you sort through the options which are available. For more information on turfgrass/cultivar selection, establishing a new lawn, caring for a new lawn, or renovating a lawn, see AG-69, Carolina Lawns.

Diseases Which May Affect This Turfgrass

brown patch
damping off
dollar spot
fairy ring
gray snow mold
powdery mildew
Pythium blight
Pythium root rot
red thread
slime mold
summer patch

© North Carolina State University. This information sheet was prepared by Arthur H. Bruneau, Bridget R. Lassiter, Gail G. Wilkerson, Emily J. Erickson, Casey Reynolds, Jenifer J. Reynolds, and Gregory S. Buol. Department of Crop Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, North Carolina State University. Prepared April 29, 2008. Available on-line at www.turffiles.ncsu.edu. This publication was made possible through a grant provided by the Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research & Education (CENTERE) whose purpose is to support worthwhile projects that will benefit both the private sector and the public, and protect the environment.

KEYWORDS FOUND IN THIS ARTICLE:

cultivar	fine fescue	take all patch	variety
fescue

FESCUE, FINE