Tall fescue - Lolium arundinacea - Plant & Pest Diagnostics

Tall fescue - Lolium arundinacea

Lolium arundinacea Schreb. (aka Festuca arundinaceae, Schedonrus arundinaceus)

Poaceae (Grass family)

MI Status

Non-native

Life cycle

Clump-forming, cool-season perennial forage or turfgrass

Leaves

Leaves are dark green, coarse, with rough margins. Dull surface and prominent veins above with glossy surface beneath. Leaves are rolled in the bud. Cut edges are rough and brown slightly adding to its distinction from turfgrasses.

Ligule

Short and membranous.

Auricles

Blunt and lobe-like.

Collar

Whitish and divided in the center by the midrib.

Reproduction

Seeds. May enlarge by tillering.

tall fescue auricles — Tall fescue auricles

tall fescue collar — tall fescue ligule and leaf blade

tall fescue mowed — Ragged appearance of mowed tall fescue blades

tall fescue roots — Fibrous roots of tall fescue, note no rhizomes are present

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Plant & Pest Diagnostics