Tall Fescue

Tall Fescue can be identified by its leaves that are rolled in the bud and short, membranous ligules. The collar is broad and continuous, and auricles are absent in this turf grass. Tall Fescue sheaths are not compressed and are reddish-pink in color below ground level. The flat blades are strongly veined above, rough along the edges and sharply pointed at the tips. The seed head grows vertically with a somewhat compressed panicle and spikelets containing between six and eight seeds.

Though durable, Tall Fescue has a poor tolerance of cold weather. Clumps may also form due to the fine grass blades of this turf grass. It also requires frequent watering in the absence of rainfall, and due to its bunch-type growth, open areas often need to be reseeded after development. In the wrong climate, this can sometimes make proper turf grass management programs more intensive.