Western Fescue (Festuca occidentalis)

Life history

Species overview

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

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Leaves basal, involute, less than 3 mm wide; panicle open and loose, often drooping above; lemmas thin, 5 to 6 mm long, attenuate into a slender awn at least 3 mm long or longer; summit of ovary with bristly pubescence.
• Flower characteristics: Panicle loose, 7 to 20 cm long, often drooping above, the branches solitary or in pairs; spikelets loosely 3- to 5-flowered, 6 to 10 mm long, mostly on slender pedicels.
• Fruit characteristics: Lemmas rather thin, 5 to 6 mm long, scaberulous toward the apex, attenuate into a slender awn at least 3 mm long or longer; summit of ovary with bristly pubescence.
• Leaf characteristics: Blades mostly basal, slender (less than 3 mm wide), involute, sulcate, soft, smooth or nearly so.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: throughout June
• Fruiting phenology: early July through late August
• Optimum time to identify: The optimal identification period for this species is early July through late August

Other

• Growth form: Graminoid
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Abies balsamea, Thuja occidentalis, Poa glauca, Rubus parviflorus, Acer saccharum, Betula papyrifera, Goodyera repens, Carex aurea, Aralia nudicaulis.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

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.

Habitats and landscapes

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.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found on cobble beaches and wooded coniferous dunes on Lake Michigan.
• Soils: Dry, rocky soils

Natural communities

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).

Ecological landscapes

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.

Species guidance

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.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid disturbance to wooded areas on or near the beach-forest interface.
• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.
• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
• Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes in open sandy areas dominated by native grasses.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Follow BMPs, especially around streams and use care near ravines, steep slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc.
• Maintain partial canopy to encourage woodland species; avoid closed-canopy conditions.
• Avoid disturbance to shorelines and the forest-beach interface.

Other resources

Links to additional Western Fescue information

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Flora
• NatureServe Explorer
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use