Tall Fescue

Fescue ( Festuca ) is a genus of about 300 species of perennial tufted grasses , belonging to the grass family Poaceae (subfamily Pooideae ). The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution , although the majority of the species are found in cool temperate areas, such as the transition zone and Canada. The genus is closely related to ryegrass ( Lolium ), and recent evidence from phylogenetic studies using DNA sequencing of plant mitochondrial DNA shows that the genus lacks monophyly . As a result plant taxonomists have placed several species, including the forage grasses, tall fescue and meadow fescue, formerly belonging to the genus Festuca into the genus Lolium .

Fescues range from small grasses only 100 mm tall or less with very fine thread-like leaves less than 1 mm wide, to tall grasses up to 2 m tall with large leaves up to 600 mm (2 feet) long and 20 mm (3/4 in.) broad.

Fescue pollen is a significant contributor to hay fever .