Meadow Fescue

Pollen Type: Grass

Cross-Reactivity: None

HS Allergy Extract: Fescue, Meadow

Family: Poaceae

Genus/Species: Festuca elatior

Common Names: Meadow Fescue, Tall Fescue, English Blue Grass, Dover Grass, Randall Grass, Evergreen Grass

Distribution: Throughout Canada and the United States except the deep South and other warmer areas.

Locations: Widely cultivated for hay and pasture throughout the cooler parts of the United States. Also, an important plant used for riparian and erosion control.

Pollinating Period: June & July. May in warmer sections.

Pollination Method: Wind-pollinated

Description: Meadow Fescue is an upright perennial that grows 2′-5′ tall. The culms (stems) are simple and smooth. The panicle, or branch which contains the seed heads (flowers), is 4″-14″ long. It is upright or nodding at the tip and can have single or multiple branches. The flower spikelets are awnless or rarely short-awned, meaning it has hair or needle-like appendages. Blades are flat and 3/16″-3/8″ wide. Meadow Fescue is considered the most important fescue for distribution and pollination.

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