The Use of Native Plants for Revegetation along West Virginia ...

2.5. Species Descriptions – Non-Native Species
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)
Tall fescue was introduced from Europe sometime in the 1800’s. It is a cool-season,
perennial tufted bunchgrass that may or may not have short rhizomes. Culms are erect, stout, and
smooth, achieving a maximum height of 2 m. It has numerous shiny, dark green leaves and
branched, panicle-type heads 10-35 cm long. It is well adapted to the humid temperate areas of
the US and is grown from Florida to Canada. It is typically taller, more drought tolerant, forms
denser stands, more competitive with weeds, and thrives on a wider range of soils than other
Festuca species; and is the major cool season grass species in the US, covering an estimated 12-
14 million ha in pure and mixed stands. Although Tall fescue grows best on good, moist soils
that are heavy to medium textured and high in humus, it can exist on soils that vary from
strongly acid (pH 4.7) to alkaline (pH 9.5). It thrives and conserves soils on thin, droughty
slopes and can form dense sods on poorly drained soils where few other cool season grasses
survive. Its massive root structure is often attributed to its adaptability to many soil types and
conditions, as well as being credited with decreasing bulk density, improving soil structure and
reducing erosion. Tall fescue is not difficult to establish under adverse conditions, however it
does best on high fertility soils (Buckner, 1985).
Red fescue (F. rubra L.)
Red fescue is a cool-season grass primarily used for lawns and turf, especially in shaded
areas. It is a very fine bladed grass with a deep green color. Red fescue has two distinct growing
habits. Creeping Red fescue spreads very slowly by short rhizomes and Chewings fescue is a
bunchgrass with an upright habit. It is a low maintenance grass that does not require much
fertilizer or need excessive amounts of water (UC IPM On-line, 2005).
Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.)
Annual ryegrass is a native of Europe. It is adapted to temperate regions and is used widely
throughout the world as pasture and hay. It grows best on fertile, well-drained soils, but can be
grown in areas where the soil is so wet at certain times of the year that few other grasses will
survive and grow satisfactorily. Annual ryegrass tends to perform poorly with extended low or
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