CHAP. i. FESCUE GRASSES. 903 



RED FESCUE (Festuca rubra, L.) derives its name from the colour 

 of the sheaths of the lower leaves, which, when the plant is spread 

 open for the purpose, are seen .to be of a dull red. A more robust 

 plant than hard fescue, it has at the same time a creeping habit, which 

 helps it to withstand drought, and suits it to poor soils. Like most of 

 the narrow-leaved fescues, this variety does not make sufficient bulk to 

 be of much use in the hay field, but it is unquestionably serviceable as 



Fig. 391. Red Fescue. 



Festuca rubra. 



a constituent of the bottom herbage in pastures, where it is readily 

 grazed by stock. Its " seeds " are larger than those of hard fescue. 

 Fig. 391 affords a view of the plant. 



VARIOUS-LEAVED FESCUE (Festuca heterophylla) is, as its name 

 implies, a grass the leaves of which are not uniform in size and shape. 

 Its foliage varies somewhat between the narrow-leaved and broad- 

 leaved types of fescue, the upper leaves being distinctly broad. The 

 root-leaves are harsh and slender, and enveloped in loose brown 

 sheaths, whilst the general habit of the plant is tufted. It comes 

 into profit fairly early in the season, and thrives best upon calcareous 

 soils, even when they are moist or shady. Its " seed" is represented in 

 fig. 392. 



