Festuca duriuscula L. var. cinerea auct. non (Vill.) Krajina

Scientific Name: Festuca duriuscula L. var. cinerea auct. non (Vill.) Krajina


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Festuca L./ Festuca duriuscula L. var. cinerea auct. non (Vill.) Krajina

<i>Festuca duriuscula</i> L. var. cinerea auct. non (Vill.) Krajina
General Information
Usda SymbolFEDUC
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsFEDUC

Plant Guide

Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Festuca duriuscula L. var. cinerea auct. non (Vill.) Krajina.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

Festuca trachyphylla, F. duriuscula, F. ovina var. duriuscula, F. longifolia, F. cineria, F. duriuscula var. cineria, F. ovina

Uses

‘Durar’ hard fescue is used for stabilizing roadsides and ditch banks, farm tree plantings, cover in orchards, weed suppression, campsites and recreational areas, fairways for golf courses, farm landing strips, runway shoulders, logging roads, skid trails, ski slopes, dryland lawns and as cover for retired cropland. It has been used for grazing, but usually more palatable grasses are preferred. Mature stands are short-statured and have few seed heads, which makes this plant desirable for low-maintenance long-term cover.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description and Adaptation

Adaptation

Adaptation

‘Durar’ hard fescue is an introduced cool-season perennial bunchgrass developed by re-selection from seed collected by Virgil Hawk in 1934 at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Experiment Station at Union, Oregon. It was released for commercial production in 1949, named ‘Durar’ in 1961 and registered with Crop Science in 1964. This was the first commercial release of hard fescue. ‘Durar’ is an introduced fine-leaved fescue that is long lived, persistent and competitive with other grasses and weeds. The semi-erect fine stems of this densely tufted bunchgrass attain a height of 30 inches when grown in good conditions. Compared to sheep fescue, it has more lax leaves that are longer, broader and coarser. Hard fescue is native to forest edge habitats and open forests of Europe. ‘Durar’ is more drought resistant than chewings fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. fallax), but not as drought resistant as sheep (Festuca ovina) or Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis). It is adapted to the 16 to 30 inch rainfall areas of Washington State, Oregon and Idaho. ‘Durar’ makes a tremendous root system, producing many more pounds of roots per acre than it does in top growth. Root samples taken from the top 8 inches of soil after 6 growing seasons showed ‘Durar’ with 6,000 pounds of roots per acre and crested wheatgrass with 3500 pounds of roots per acre. It produces up to 700 pounds of clean seed per acre. ‘Durar’ is adapted to medium and fine textured soils that are well drained. Wet or saturated soils are not tolerated. It is somewhat shade tolerant. Distribution: Please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

Establishment

There are 565,000 seeds per pound of clean seed of ‘Durar’. A firm, weed-free seedbed is highly recommended. The germinating seedlings are susceptible to soil crusting, so early spring seeding is essential. Seeding should be done with double disk drills with depth control so that seeding depth is no more than 1/4 inch. Early spring seedings work well when made in spring barley stubble. ‘Durar’ seedlings may not be more than 1 – 2 inches in diameter in the establishment year; however, tremendous gains in competitiveness are made in the second year. Consult your local Natural Resources Conservation office for seeding and seeding rate recommendations.

Management

New seedings need protection the first year, so the seeded area should not be used or be subjected to traffic, Weed control is needed especially in the establishment year, Do not fertilize in the year of seeding because this generally results in heavy weed growth, Maintenance applications of fertilizer may be necessary in low fertility critical areas where the stand is stressed, Rotational use is recommended in heavy use areas, along with a maintenance application of fertilizer, Consult your local university Extension office for fertilizer and weed control recommendations, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Festuca duriuscula L. var. cinerea auct. non (Vill.) Krajina.,

Pests and Potential Problems

No serious pests or other problems have been noted. Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Over 90 cultivars of hard fescue have been released as of 2007, some of which are Plant Variety Protected. Many of these varieties are for turf and lawn use.

Prepared By

Wayne Crowder, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Pullman, Washington

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Fertility RequirementLow
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Drought ToleranceHigh
Fertility RequirementLow
Fertility RequirementLow
Fertility RequirementLow
CaCO3 ToleranceNone
Fertility RequirementLow
Fertility RequirementLow
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Fire ToleranceMedium
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Frost Free Days, Minimum90
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
Anaerobic ToleranceNone
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
CaCO3 ToleranceHigh
Salinity ToleranceNone
Precipitation, Minimum12
Precipitation, Minimum12
Precipitation, Minimum12
Precipitation, Minimum12
Precipitation, Minimum12
Precipitation, Minimum12
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)10
Salinity ToleranceNone
Salinity ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Salinity ToleranceNone
Salinity ToleranceNone
Salinity ToleranceNone
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Shade ToleranceIntolerant
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-38
Precipitation, Maximum26
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseLow
Moisture UseLow
Moisture UseLow
Moisture UseLow
Moisture UseLow
Moisture UseLow
pH, Maximum8.5
pH, Maximum8.5
pH, Maximum8.5
pH, Maximum8.5
pH, Maximum8.5
Precipitation, Maximum26
Precipitation, Maximum26
Precipitation, Maximum26
Precipitation, Maximum26
Precipitation, Maximum26
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Minimum4.5
pH, Maximum8.5


Morphology/Physiology

Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationSemi-Erect
Shape and OrientationSemi-Erect
Shape and OrientationSemi-Erect
Shape and OrientationSemi-Erect
Shape and OrientationSemi-Erect
Shape and OrientationSemi-Erect
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
Active Growth PeriodSpring
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ColorYellow
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Fall ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGray-Green
Foliage ColorGray-Green
Foliage ColorGray-Green
Foliage ColorGray-Green
Foliage ColorGray-Green
Flower ConspicuousNo
After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
BloatNone
BloatNone
BloatNone
BloatNone
BloatNone
After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
BloatNone
After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
Active Growth PeriodSpring
Active Growth PeriodSpring
Active Growth PeriodSpring
Active Growth PeriodSpring
Active Growth PeriodSpring
Resprout AbilityNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Nitrogen FixationNone
Coppice PotentialNo
C:N RatioHigh
C:N RatioHigh
C:N RatioHigh
C:N RatioHigh
C:N RatioHigh
C:N RatioHigh
Known AllelopathNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
LifespanModerate
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)0.5
Height, Mature (feet)0.5
Height, Mature (feet)0.5
Height, Mature (feet)0.5
Low Growing GrassNo
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanModerate
LifespanModerate
LifespanModerate
LifespanModerate
LifespanModerate
Foliage TextureFine
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Height, Mature (feet)0.5
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Height, Mature (feet)0.5
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth RateSlow
Growth RateSlow
Growth RateSlow
Growth RateSlow
Growth RateSlow
Growth RateSlow
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth FormBunch


Reproduction

Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Seedling VigorMedium
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorMedium
Seedling VigorMedium
Seed per Pound591920
Seedling VigorMedium
Seedling VigorMedium
Seedling VigorMedium
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed Spread RateSlow
Seed per Pound591920
Seed per Pound591920
Seed per Pound591920
Seed per Pound591920
Seed per Pound591920
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Propagated by CormNo
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodSpring
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo


Suitability/Use

Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Pulpwood ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Post ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Palatable Browse AnimalMedium
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo

<i>Festuca duriuscula</i> L. var. cinerea auct. non (Vill.) Krajina

<i>Festuca duriuscula</i> L. var. cinerea auct. non (Vill.) Krajina

<i>Festuca duriuscula</i> L. var. cinerea auct. non (Vill.) Krajina

<i>Festuca duriuscula</i> L. var. cinerea auct. non (Vill.) Krajina

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