Arizona fescue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arizona fescue |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Festuca
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| Species: |
arizonica
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Festuca arizonica, also known as Arizona fescue, is a type of grass. You can find it growing in the western parts of North America, especially in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. People also call this grass mountain bunchgrass or pinegrass.
What Does Arizona Fescue Look Like?
This grass does not have rhizomes, which are underground stems that some plants use to spread. Instead, it has a very large and strong root system made of many fibers. This big root system helps the plant hold soil in place, which is great for preventing erosion (when soil washes away).
- Its stems can grow up to one meter (about 3 feet) tall.
- The stems feel a bit rough and are a pretty blue-green color.
- The leaves are also rough and blue-green. They are shaped like a string and can be up to 10 inches long.
- The plant's flowers grow in a branching cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster can be up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long and can be either narrow or a bit spread out.
Where Does Arizona Fescue Grow?
Arizona fescue likes to grow in certain types of soil. It does well in loams, which are soils with a good mix of sand, silt, and clay. It can also grow in gravelly or sandy soils.
- You will often find this grass in ecosystems where ponderosa pine trees are common.
- It sometimes grows next to other grasses like blue grama and mountain muhly.
- This grass is tough! It can handle growing in shady spots and can survive during droughts (long periods without rain).
Why Is Arizona Fescue Important?
Arizona fescue is useful for both animals and people.
- It is somewhat tasty for farm animals like cows and horses.
- Wild animals, such as deer and bighorn sheep, also eat it for food.
- This grass is often planted to help bring life back to damaged land. For example, it can be used in revegetation projects on old mine sites, as long as there is enough rain.
- You can also plant Arizona fescue in gardens as an ornamental plant because it looks nice.
- However, it doesn't like being stepped on too much.
- There is a special type of Arizona fescue called 'Redondo' that you can buy for planting.
