Festuca trachyphylla
Common name
hard fescue
Synonyms
This species appeared in NZPCN previously as F. glauca, which is a different species. It has also sometimes been collected as F. ovina.
Family
Poaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Grasses
Conservation status
Not applicable
Brief description
Clump-forming ornamental grass noted for its glaucous, finely-textured, blue-grey foliage.
Similar taxa
This species was recognised first in New Zealand by K Ford at Landcare Research, Lincoln, Canterbury. She reidentified specimens collected as F. glauca in Dec. 2015 as F. trachyphylla in Jan 2019, and has found other, earlier collections, filed as F. ovina.
Flower colours
Green, Violet/Purple
Reason for introduction
Ornamental
Etymology
festuca: From the Latin festuca ‘stem’ or ‘blade of grass’