Wood fescue (Festuca altissima, Auct. Fl. Pedem.: 43 (1789))

Family: Poaceae

Author: All.

Bibliography: Auct. Fl. Pedem.: 43 (1789)

Year: 1789

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Festuca

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to Siberia and NW. Iran

Description

Wood fescue, scientifically known as Festuca altissima, is a prominent species within the Poaceae family. This hardy perennial grass is noted for its resilience and adaptability, thriving in a variety of environments across Europe, extending its reach to Siberia and Northwestern Iran.

First documented in the publication “Auct. Fl. Pedem.” in 1789 by the botanist All., wood fescue has garnered attention for its ecological significance and its ability to endure diverse climatic conditions. It typically inhabits forested regions, where it contributes to the understory flora, providing essential cover and forage for numerous wildlife species.

The plant features a robust and tufted growth habit, often forming dense clumps that can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion. Its leaves are characteristically flat and approximately 5–30 cm in length, displaying a bright green hue that persists through various seasons. The inflorescence of wood fescue is an open panicle, which releases seeds that are adept at germinating under different environmental conditions, thus ensuring the proliferation of the species.

Due to its wide distribution and ecological roles, wood fescue has become an essential component of the natural landscape across its native range. It provides not only a foundation for the plant community but also sustenance and habitat for the fauna that resides alongside it.

In summary, Festuca altissima is more than just a plant; it represents a vital part of the ecosystems across Europe, Siberia, and Northwestern Iran. Its historical documentation by All. serves as a reminder of the longstanding recognition and appreciation of this impressive species.

Common Names

Deu: wald-schwingel
Lav: meza auzene
Swe: skogssvingel
Eng: wood fescue
Cym: peisgwellt y gwigoedd, peiswellt y coed
En: Wood fescue, Mountain Fescue Grass, Wild Fescue
Ar: فستوكة عالية
Be: Аўсяніца высокая
Cs: Kostřava lesní
Et: Mets-aruhein
Fi: Metsänata
De: Wald-Schwingel, Waldschwingel
It: Festuca dei boschi
Lv: Meza auzene
Lt: Miškinis eraičinas
Fa: علف بره جنگلی
Pl: Kostrzewa leśna
Sv: Skogssvingel
Cy: Peiswellt y coed, Peisgwellt y Gwigoedd

Synonyms

• Festuca calamaria var. minor (Hook.)
• Festuca silvatica f. denudata (Holmb.)
• Schedonorus alpinus (Hoppe ex Schult.)
• Schedonorus latifolius ((DC.) Roem. & Schult.)
• Festuca decidua (Bellardi ex Sm.)
• Poa binervata (P.Beauv.)
• Festuca sylvatica var. decidua ((Bellardi ex Sm.) Steud.)
• Poa sylvatica var. subaristata (Parn.)
• Schedonorus deciduus ((Bellardi ex Sm.) Gray)
• Festuca sylvatica var. latifolia ((Host) Lamotte)
• Schedonorus altissimus ((All.) P.Beauv.)
• Festuca silvatica (Vill.)
• Festuca latifolia (DC.)
• Schedonorus sylvaticus ((Pollich) P.Beauv.)
• Festuca sylvatica var. minor (Sond.)
• Drymochloa sylvatica ((Pollich) Holub)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 1, 2011 by Pedro Gaspar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2011 by Pedro Gaspar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2021 by Daniel Bäck (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 31, 2021 by Daniel Bäck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2019 by pontin michele (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 31, 2021 by Daniel Bäck (cc-by-sa)

© 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/4129208)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:402327-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Festuca altissima All.)

Specifications

Growth