Red Fescue (Festuca rubra L.)

Abstract

Of approximately 100 species within the genus Festuca, seven are utilized as turf- type grasses including the red fescues. The red fescue species are considered one of the three most important turfgrasses utilized in the cool-humid regions of the world, the other two being the Kentucky bluegrasses (Poa pratensis L.) and the perennial ryegrasses (Lolium perenne L.). Red fescues are separated into three distinct subspecies; strong creeping red fescues (Festuca rubra L. ssp. rubra), slender creeping red fescues (F. rubra L. ssp. trichophylla) and Chewings red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp.commutata) Schmit et al. 1974). The difference between the subspecies is the degree of rhizome initiation and growth, with strong creeping cultivars having the most vigorous rhizomatous growth habit (2n = 8x = 56) slender red fescues (2n = 6x = 42) being intermediate and Chewings red fescue cultivars (2n = 6x = 42) being a “bunch-type” grass not capable of rhizome growth (Schmit et al. 1974). There are many cultivars within each subspecies. It is difficult to reasonably assess the economic significance of this grass species since so little attention is given to turfgrasses. However, if one begins to consider both the functional and aesthetic (ornamental) properties associated with turfgrasses and the tremendously ubiquitous nature of “lawn grasses”, it would be apparent that any effort to quantify the acreages involved in all situations including home lawns, parks, municipal and private areas, cemeteries, roadsides, airfields, golf courses and other sports turfs would be virtually impossible. The turfgrass industry as a whole is undoubtedly a multi-billion dollar per year industry, which includes specialty chemicals (herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, growth regulators and fertilizers) and a very high demand for seed of improved cultivars. Red fescue species play an integral role in turfgrass culture in the cool-humid regions of the world.