Fine-leaf sheep fescue (Festuca filiformis, Hist. & Mém. Acad. Roy. Sci. Toulouse 3: 319 (1788))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Pourr.

Bibliography: Hist. & Mém. Acad. Roy. Sci. Toulouse 3: 319 (1788)

Year: 1788

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Festuca

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to Caucasus, NW. Africa

Description

Fine-leaf sheep fescue, scientifically known as Festuca filiformis, is a herbaceous perennial grass belonging to the Poaceae family. This grass was first described in historical records dating back to 1788, as documented in the “History and Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Toulouse” (Vol. 3, p.319) by author Pourret.

This species is indigenous to a broad range, spanning from Europe to the Caucasus region and extending into Northwest Africa. The fine-leaf sheep fescue is distinguished by its slender, needle-like leaves that form compact, tufted clumps. These fine leaves contribute to its aesthetic appeal and functionality in various landscaping and ecological restoration projects.

The grass thrives in a range of habitats, particularly favoring well-drained soils and open, sunny locations. Its resilience in poor soil conditions and drought tolerance make it a valuable species for stabilizing soil and preventing erosion in its native regions.

Fine-leaf sheep fescue is not only significant for its protective environmental roles but is also appreciated for its use in low-maintenance lawns and naturalized grasslands. Its ability to withstand grazing pressure makes it a suitable forage for livestock in pastoral settings.

Overall, Festuca filiformis serves multiple ecological and practical purposes due to its hardiness, adaptability, and minimal care requirements. These attributes underscore its importance in both natural ecosystems and human-managed landscapes.

Common Names

Dan: finbladet svingel
Eng: fine-leaf sheep fescue, fineleaf sheep fescue, hair fescue, slender fescue, fine-leaved sheep’s-fescue, fine-leaved sheep fescue
Deu: haar-schaf-schwingel
Nld: fijn schapengras
Swe: finsvingel, hapsilampaannata, finbladig fårsvingel
Fra: fétuque capillaire, fétuque chevelue, fétuque à feuilles capillaires, fétuque à feuilles délicates
Nob: grannsvingel
Nno: grannsvingel
Fin: hapsilampaannata
Cym: peisgwellt manddail, peiswellt meinddail
En: Fine-leaf sheep fescue, Hair fescue, Slender fescue, Fineleaf sheep fescue, Fine-leaved Sheep’s-fescue, Fine-leaved sheep fescue, Fine-leaved sheep’s Fescue
Ar: فستوكة رقيقة الأوراق
Be: Аўсяніца танкалістая
Cs: Kostřava vláskovitá
Da: Finbladet svingel
Nl: Fijn schapengras, Fijn Schapegras
Fi: Hapsilampaannata, Hapsinata
Fr: Fétuque capillaire, Fétuque chevelue, Fétuque à feuilles capillaires, Fétuque à feuilles délicates, Fétuque à feuilles menues
De: Haar-Schwingel, Haar-Schaf-Schwingel, Dünnblättriger Schafschwingel
It: Festuca a foglie capillari
Nb: Grannsvingel
Nn: Grannsvingel
Pl: Kostrzewa nitkowata
Ru: Ovsjanica tonkolistnaja
Sv: Finsvingel, Hapsilampaannata, Finbladig fårsvingel
Cy: Peiswellt meinddail, Peisgwellt Manddail

Synonyms

• Festuca ovina var. paludosa ((Gaudin) Roem. & Schult.)
• Festuca tenuifolia (Sibth.)
• Festuca tenuifolia f. frisia ((Asch. & Graebn.) Soó)
• Festuca tenuifolia var. paludosa ((Gaudin) Ducommun)
• Festuca filiformis f. mucronata ((Auquier) Kerguélen & Plonka)
• Festuca ovina subsp. tenuifolia ((Sibth.) Čelak.)
• Festuca tenuifolia f. arenaria ((Junge) Soó)
• Festuca ovina var. frisia (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Festuca ovina subvar. hispidula (Hack.)
• Festuca paludosa (Gaudin)
• Festuca ovina var. hispidula ((Hack.) Tzvelev)
• Festuca ovina f. arenaria (Junge)
• Festuca tenuifolia f. glabrispicula (Auquier)
• Festuca tenuifolia f. mucronata (Auquier)
• Festuca ovina var. tenuifolia ((Sibth.) Dumort.)
• Festuca ovina f. frisia ((Asch. & Graebn.) Jansen)
• Festuca ovina f. hispidula ((Hack.) Jansen)
• Festuca ovina var. mutica (Retz.)
• Festuca ovina f. hispidispicula (Litard. ex Jansen & Wacht.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 10, 2021 by Finn2187 gleissner68 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 7, 2019 by lumi lumy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 14, 2020 by alain lauro (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2021 by niaso78 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2021 by Isabelle Laban (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 12, 2019 by Patrice Piccino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2022 by Ziegler Hannes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2021 by Morgan Guillot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2019 by Patrice Piccino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by jane lovett (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 12, 2019 by Patrice Piccino (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 20, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 1848 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705011)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77083572-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Festuca filiformis Pourr.)

Specifications

Growth