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Photo © Keir Morse
Western Fescue (Festuca occidentalis), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found on cobble beaches and wooded coniferous dunes on Lake Michigan. Blooming occurs throughout June; fruiting occurs early July through late August. The optimal identification period for this species is early July through late August.
Synonyms: Festuca ovina var. polyphylla
The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Western Fescue (Festuca occidentalis). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.
Summary Information | |
---|---|
State Status | THR |
Federal Status in Wisconsin | none |
State Rank | S1 |
Global Rank | G5 |
Tracked by NHI | Y |
The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.
This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Western Fescue. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).
Natural communities | score |
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Northern Dry Mesic--young seral | 3 |
Northern Dry Mesic--mid seral | 3 |
Northern Dry Mesic--late seral | 3 |
Boreal Forest | 2 |
Great Lakes Beach | 2 |
Great Lakes Alkaline Rockshore | 2 |
This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Western Fescue. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.
Ecological landscape | score |
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Northern Lake Michigan Coastal | 3 |
The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.
These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.
Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species
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Support for Wisconsin's rare plant information has been provided by the Division of Forestry, the Endangered Resources Fund and the Wisconsin Rare Plant Preservation Fund. To donate, visit the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin [exit DNR].