Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Festuca subulata is a species of grass known by the common names bearded fescue and nodding fescue. It is native to the northwestern quarter of North America, from Alaska to South Dakota to northern California, where it is most often found in moist mountain forests. This fescue is a loosely clumping perennial grass with small rhizomes. The stems are generally between 40 and 80 centimeters in height and have drooping leaves. The inflorescence has loosely clustered spikelets. The plant reproduces by seed and rhizome and it sometimes spreads via stolon.

Plant type

Grass

Size

1 - 3 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Soil description

Adaptable, tolerant of sand, loam and clay.

Plant communities

Red Fir Forest, Redwood Forest, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 7 likely

Confirmed Likely

Common Ringlet

Coenonympha tullia

Lindsey's Skipper

Hesperia lindseyi

Sierra Skipper

Hesperia miriamae

Nevada Skipper

Hesperia nevada