FESCUE 



The fescues vary widely in size, appearance, and growth habit. The 

 narrow-leafed fescues are used principally for turf while the broad-leafed 

 species are valued for grazing and forage. Tall fescue is the most important 

 of the broad -leafed species. 



Tall Fescue 



Tall fescue is an aggressive, erect, deeply rooted bunchgrass gener- 

 ally grown in those States south of the Ohio River and east of Kansas and 

 Oklahoma. It is also grown in Washington, Oregon, and in irrigated sections 

 of the Western States. Although adapted to semi-wet conditions, it is also 

 drought resistant. The plant is used for pasture, hay, and conservation. In 

 the North growth begins early in the spring and continues, with adequate 

 moisture, until covered with snow. In the South it is used for winter pasture 

 and is often planted with white clover. Reports indicate that under certain 

 conditions and management practices, animal disorders have been asso- 

 ciated with the pasturing of this grass. 



Alta and Kentucky 31 are highproducing fescues that are drought re- 

 sistant and tolerant of both soil acidity and alkalinity. Adapted to a 

 wide range of soil and temperature conditions, the two varieties are 

 grown in those States south of the Ohio River and east of Texas. In 

 addition, Alta is widely used in Oregon for reclaiming saltgrass 

 meadows. Both varieties provide permanent pasture without reseed- 

 ing and their stand improves after the first year. 



Goar is coarser and somewhat more heat tolerant than Kentucky 31 

 or Alta. It is grown in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. 



GRAMA 



The grama grasses are important range plants in the area west of a 

 line extending through central North Dakota and south through Texas, except 

 for that portion along the Pacific Coast. Although they are summer-growing 

 grasses, they provide both summer and winter grazing, since they cure 

 naturally on the ground. 



Sideoats Grama 



Sideoats grama is a bunchgrass grown in western North Dakota, South 

 Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. It is adapted 

 to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions, and provides palatable 

 pasture or hay. 



Coronado is a tall, coarse -stemmed variety that has broad leaves 

 and good rust resistance, and it is an excellent seed producer. It is 

 adapted to parts of New Mexico, northern Texas, and Oklahoma. It 

 prefers moist, rich soils but does well on sandy or gravelly soils 

 where moisture is adequate. Seed is limited. 



Blue Grama 



Blue grama, a sod -forming grass, is abundant in the same States where 

 sideoats grama is grown. It is found on acid and alkaline soils, and prefers 



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