Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Family - Poaceae. Common Names(s) - Tall fescue, Kentucky fescue, reed fescue. Synonym(s) -Festuca elatior L.; Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.; Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.; Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub.

Answer

Score

1.01

Is the species highly domesticated?

y=-3, n=0

n

0

1.02

Has the species become naturalized where grown?

y=1, n=-1

1.03

Does the species have weedy races?

y=-1, n=-1

2.01

Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) – If island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute “wet tropical” for “tropical or subtropical”

See Append 2

1

2.02

Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) see appendix 2

1

2.03

Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.04

Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates

y=1, n=0

y

1

2.05

Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range?

y=-2, ?=-1, n=0

y

3.01

Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2), n= question 2.05

y

1.5

3.02

Garden/amenity/disturbance weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

3.03

Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

3.04

Environmental weed y = 2*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

3

3.05

Congeneric weed y = 1*multiplier (see Append 2)

n=0

y

1.5

4.01

Produces spines, thorns or burrs

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.02

Allelopathic

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.03

Parasitic

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.04

Unpalatable to grazing animals

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

4.05

Toxic to animals

y=1, n=0

4.06

Host for recognized pests and pathogens

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.07

Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.08

Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems

y=1, n=0

4.09

Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.10

Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island)

y=1, n=0

y

1

4.11

Climbing or smothering growth habit

y=1, n=0

n

0

4.12

Forms dense thickets

y=1, n=0

y

1

5.01

Aquatic

y=5, n=0

n

0

5.02

Grass

y=1, n=0

y

1

5.03

Nitrogen fixing woody plant

y=1, n=0

n

0

5.04

Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers)

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.01

Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat

y=1, n=0

n

0

6.02

Produces viable seed.

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.03

Hybridizes naturally

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.04

Self-compatible or apomictic

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

6.05

Requires specialist pollinators

y=-1, n=0

n

0

6.06

Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation

y=1, n=-1

y

1

6.07

Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, 4+ years = -1

See left

1

1

7.01

Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked areas)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.02

Propagules dispersed intentionally by people

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.03

Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.04

Propagules adapted to wind dispersal

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.05

Propagules water dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.06

Propagules bird dispersed

y=1, n=-1

n

-1

7.07

Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

7.08

Propagules survive passage through the gut

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.01

Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)

y=1, n=-1

8.02

Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.03

Well controlled by herbicides

y=-1, n=1

y

-1

8.04

Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire

y=1, n=-1

y

1

8.05

Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)

y=-1, n=1

Total score:

17

Notes

Source

1.01

No evidence of domestication although there are numerous cultivars.

1.02

1.03

2.01

(1) Native to Portugal, Algeria; Afghanistan; Cyprus: Iran; Iraq; Israel; Jordan; Lebanon; Syria; Turkey; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Georgia; Russian Federation; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Uzbekistan; Pakistan; Denmark; Finland; Ireland; Norway; Sweden; United Kingdom; Austria; Belgium; Czechoslovakia; Germany; Hungary; Netherlands; Poland; Switzerland; Belarus; Estonia; Latvia; Lithuania; Moldova; Ukraine; Albania; Bulgaria; Former Yugoslavia; Greece; Italy [incl. Sardinia, Sicily]; Romania; France; Portugal; Spain

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?16631#syn [Cited 2009 June 16].

2.02

2.03

(1) In Britain, native stands of Festuca arundinaceous occur between sea level and 15 m. There are records of occurrences above 150 m and in Cambria the altitudinal limit is 430 m. In Europe, F. arundinacea occurs principally at sea level but it has been recorded from 2760 m in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco. It is most commonly found on level to gently sloping wet, lush meadows and pastures, as well as well-drained grasslands. It often occurs along roadside verges, railway embankments and field margins, and is plentiful in coastal areas, especially clay sea-cliffs in southern Britain. (2) Festuca is adapted to a wide range of conditions and is cultivated for pasture, from which it often escapes

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324. (2) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

2.04

(1) Naturalized in Australia, New Zealand, Macaronesia.

(1) http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?16631#syn [Cited 2009 June 16].

2.05

(1) "Because of its value as a pasture grass, Festuca aruninacea has been introduced in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and south and east Africa"

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.

3.01

(1) "Because of its value as a pasture grass, Festuca arundinaceous has been introduced in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and south and east Africa. In these countries it is often naturalized, for example on New Zealand's South Island, F. arundinacea replaces the native grass Hierochloe redolens on the deep soils of coastal dunes and talus slopes."

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.

3.02

(1) In this study on invasive alien plant species along Japanese riparian areas, Festuca arundinacea was a dominant or codominant species along 11 of the rivers. Initially planted as a revegetation species to control erosion, Festuca spread and was suppressing native biodiversity. Authors proposed control of the species.

(1) Miyawaki S., Washitani I. 2004.Invasive alien plant species in riparian areas of Japan: the contribution of agricultural weeds, revegetation species and aquacultural species. Global Environmental Research 8 (1): 89-101.

3.03

(1) Mentioned as an agricultural weed, but no evidence of control efforts.

(1) http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/festuca_arundinacea/ [Cited 2009 June 17].

3.04

(1) In this study on invasive alien plant species along Japanese riparian areas, Festuca arundinacea was a dominant or codominant species along 11 of the rivers. Initially planted as a revegetation species to control erosion, Festuca spread and was suppressing native biodiversity. Authors proposed control of the species. (2) F. arundinacea can invade grassland, savanna and woodland habitats and the edges of some open marsh and fen systems. A persistent perennial that can compete with many native species. Control is difficult in natural areas or wildlands because the application of herbicides can reduce populations of native grasses. (3) As the density of tall fescue increases at a site, the diversity of native species declines. This is partly due to a natural toxin tall fescue produces to inhibit the growth of competing species. In natural areas tall fescue crowds out other species by forming dense clumps with a thick mat of roots. Mechanical methods are virtually useless in controlling tall fescue because of the thick root system and vegetative resprouting. The most effective method for severe infestations is burning early in the growing season, followed by spot application late in the growing season of a glyphosate herbicide to plants missed by the fire.

(1) Miyawaki S., Washitani I. 2004.Invasive alien plant species in riparian areas of Japan: the contribution of agricultural weeds, revegetation species and aquacultural species. Global Environmental Research 8 (1): 89-101. (2) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16]. (3) http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/documents/fsfeel.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

3.05

(1) Festuca filiformis is a noxious weed in the United States. (2) The Tennessee Exotic Pest Council categorizes Festuca pratensis as a category 2 species. Rank 2 species are a significant threat: have characteristics of invasive spices but are not seen to spread as easily into natural areas as those with rank 1. Sleeper weed?

(1) http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=FEFI [Cited 2009 June 16] (2) http://www.tneppc.org/TNEPPC2004PlantList-8x11.pdf [Cited 2009June 17].

4.01

(1) Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is a deep rooted, cool season perennial grass. The plant produces vigorous growth in the spring and fall and its extensive root system helps it withstand drought conditions. Tall fescue does produce short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit - it spreads primarily by erect tillers. Individual tillers, or stems, terminate in an inflorescence, reach 3 to 4 feet in height, and have broad, dark green basal leaves. Leaf blades are glossy on the underside and serrated on the margins. The leaf sheath is smooth and the ligule is a short membrane. The inflorescence is a compact panicle, 3 to 4 inches long with lanceolate spikelets one-half inch or more long. The grass flowers in the spring and seed mature in early summer. Seed are 4 to 7 mm long, elliptic and awned.

(1) http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/turf/publications/tallfesc.html [Cited 2009 June 16].

4.02

(1) Festuca arundinacea has allelopathic properties that inhibit the establishment of other species.

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

4.03

(1) Not parasitic

(1) http://www.parasiticplants.siu.edu/ListParasites.html [Cited 2009 June 17].

4.04

(1) Palatable to sheep, horses and cattle.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.

4.05

(1) An endophytic fungus that infects the plant can cause illness in both domestic and some wild mammals that graze on it, creating both economic hardship and ecological damage [in certain situations, plant may be indirectly toxic to animals]

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

4.06

(1) Festuca arundinacea and its cultivars are hosts for the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. (2) There are no reports indicating that pest or predators appreciably effect Festuca arundinacea in North America. (3) Festuca arundinacea is a host for Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola, which causes economically important losses of the Festuca arundinacea in North America. (4) Rhizoctonia solani is common in Hawaii on all islands and throughout the world.

(1) http://turf.uark.edu/publications/factsheets/Brown%20Patch%20of%20Tall%20Fescue%20Lawns%20FSA7558%20web.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16]. (2) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16]. (3) Kulik M.M., Dery P.D. 2008. The infection of Festuca arundinacea by Puccinia graminis subsp. graminicola. Journal of Phytopathology. 143 (1):53-58. (4) http://www.extento.hawaii.edu/Kbase/Crop/Type/r_solani.htm [Cited 2009 June 17].

4.07

(1) No evidence in Toxnet. (2) No evidence of toxicity in PubMed.

(1) http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/d?./temp/~ipFdtq:40:@sa [Cited 2009 June 17] (2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez [Cited 2009 June 17].

4.08

No evidence (1) However, Festuca arundinacea is tolerant of fire.

(1) Rhoades C., Barnes T., Washburn B. 2002. Prescribed fire and herbicide effects on soil processes during barrens restoration. Restoration Ecology. 10 (4):656-664.

4.09

(1) Festuca arundinacea grows best in sunlight and is suppressed in the shade.

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

4.10

(1) Festuca arundinacea occurs on a variety of substrates; commonly poorly drained, alluvial soils. It is found on clay cliffs, calcareous base-rich soils, Cretaceous sands, clay or chalk. (2) Festuca arundinacea grows best on deep, fertile, silty to clayey loam, however with adequate moisture is tolerant of most soil textures including sandy soils. It grows at a wide range of pH from 3.6 to 7.7.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.(2) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

4.11

(1) Perennial grass.

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

4.12

(1) Festuca arundinacea spreads vegetatively and by seeds forming dense solid stands.

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

5.01

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

5.02

(1) Poaceae

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

5.03

(1) Poaceae

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

5.04

(1) Poaceae

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

6.01

No evidence

6.02

(1) Festuca arundinacea reproduces by seed and spreads vegetatively.

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

6.03

(1) In Britain F. arundinacea is reported to hybridize with F. pratensis and F. gigantea.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.

6.04

(1) Festuca arundinacea is predominantly self-sterile, although improved agricultural cultivars have been produced from self-fertile, inbred lines.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.

6.05

(1) Wind-pollinated.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.

6.06

(1) Vegetative growth is fast in isolated tussocks due to the rapid production of new tillers.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.

6.07

(1) Plants can flower in the first year of growth.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.

7.01

(1) The awn facilitates animal dispersal. Can also attach to clothing (2) Widely planted for pasture, turf, hay and erosion control.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324. (2) http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/PAF/Festuca%20arundinacea.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

7.02

(1) F. arundinacea is commonly planted as a cool-season forage grass with yields often exceeding other forage species and with a wide range of tolerance of soil, temperature and moisture conditions.

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

7.03

(1) Widely planted for pasture, turf, hay and erosion control.

(1) http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/PAF/Festuca%20arundinacea.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

7.04

No adaptation for wind dispersal.(1) Seeds are somewhat dark in color and, as in all grasses, the fruit is a caryopsis.

(1) http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/PAF/Festuca%20arundinacea.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

7.05

No adaptation for water dispersal. (1) Seeds are somewhat dark in color and, as in all grasses, the fruit is a caryopsis.

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

7.06

Not a fleshy berry. (1) Seeds are somewhat dark in color and, as in all grasses, the fruit is a caryopsis.

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

7.07

(1) The awn facilitates animal dispersal.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.

7.08

(1) Seeds survive through the digestive tracts of many animals and viable seeds may be found in manure.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.

8.01

Unknown

8.02

(1) Festuca arundinacea is considered to have a type I or II transient seed bank with most of the seed germinating shortly after being shed. (2) Seeds can remain viable in the seedbank for a significant length of time. (3) Seed can remain viable for at least 19 years.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324. (2) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16]. (3) http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/PAF/Festuca%20arundinacea.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

8.03

(1) Festuca arundinacea can be controlled by herbicides such as metsulfuron, glyphosate, and imazapic. (2) Spring applications of clethodim at 0.2 kg ai/ha reduced tall fescue cover to less than 20%. Imazapic at 0.2 kg ai/ha and glyphosate at 2.2 kg ai/ha reduced fescue cover to less than 5%, and sethoxydim applied at 0.5 kg ai/ha did not provide adequate tall fescue control. Other studies have documented that imazapic applied at 0.2 kg ai/ha controls tall fescue.

(1) http://www.imapinvasives.org/GIST/ESA/esapages/documnts/festaru.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16]. (2) http://www.jstor.org.eres.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/stable/pdfplus/3989652.pdf [Cited 2009 June 16].

8.04

(1) Festuca arundinacea is one of the species being promoted along embankments and dikes by burning in the Netherlands. (2) Festuca arundinacea can sprout from short rhizomes after aerial portions are burned. Tufts formed by the leaves may protect basal buds from fire damage.

(1) Gibson, D. J. and J. A. Newman 2001. Festuca arundinacea Schreber (F. elatior L. ssp. arundinacea (Schreber) Hackel). Journal of Ecology 89(2): 304-324.

8.05

Unknown