Festuca ovina

Species category

Turf

Common name

sheep fescue

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

FloretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.

Shape

Lanceolate

Size

  • Length 4 mm 
  • Width 0.75 mm 
  • Thickness 0.5 mm 

Color

Light brown

Texture

Sparsely pubescentPubescent:
Having hairs.
across the top and glabrousGlabrous:
Lacking hairs or pubescence.
below

Lemma

Broadest on basalBasal:
The base of the fruit or seed opposite the apical end.
half; short awnAwn:
A narrow, bristle-like organ, as on the glumes or lemmas of grasses (Poaceae).
.

Palea

ApicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
half compressed; deeply grooved.

Other structures

RachillaRachilla:
The axis of a spikelet.
pressed outward from floretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.
.

Identification notes

FloretsFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.
of the smaller fescues are difficult to accurately identify to species.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet.

Nomenclature

Family

Poaceae

Valid name

Festuca ovina L.

 Festuca ovina.  Florets are sparsely pubescent across the top and glabrous below. Caryopsis is also pictured. 
Festuca ovina. Florets are sparsely pubescent across the top and glabrous below. Caryopsis is also pictured.