About Festuca rubra L.
Festuca rubra L. is a perennial grass species that includes multiple subspecies. These subspecies may produce rhizomes and/or grow as bunchgrass tufts. It grows primarily on neutral and acidic soils, and reaches a mature height between 2 and 20 cm. Like all fescues, it has narrow, needle-like leaves that make it less palatable to livestock. The grass swards it forms are less tufted than those of sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina) or wavy hair grass (Deschampsia flexuosa). Its tufted growth habit gives the grass a characteristic springy texture. Its leaves are bright green. Commonly called red fescue or creeping red fescue, this species is cultivated as an ornamental plant for use as a turfgrass and groundcover. It can be left completely unmown, or trimmed occasionally to achieve a lush, meadow-like appearance. Along with its many naturally occurring subspecies, numerous cultivars have been bred specifically for the horticultural trade.
