Planteværn Online > Skadevoldere - Weed biology<br> <sub>Agro-region: Denmark</sub> - Red Fescue

Crop Protection Online

19.4 2024

Weed biology
_{Agro-region: Denmark}

Red Fescue

Can be mistaken for

Creeping Bent, which has a long ligule.

Sheep's Fescue - it is really difficult to distinguish between these species

Characteristics

Early stages
Folded vernation. The first true leaves are somewhat rolled, which gives them a needle-like appearance. Later, the leaves become flatter. No dentation. The ligule is very short, at times difficult to see.

Mature plant
Red fescue is a medium-sized plant with 30-60 cm high, erect stems. The often reddish spikelets are joined in an open, somewhat edgewise attached panicle. The spikelets have short awns. The plant forms subterranean bolters.

Seed
Lancet-shaped and cross-toothed. Kidney-shaped cross section. The bract is toothed on the upper third, closest to the panicle. The rachilla is terete, sparsely toothed with a bowl-shaped head. The ventral furrow is deep towards the base, but with the bottom turned slightly upwards on the upper part. Naked seeds may occur. Thousand grain weight approx. 1.0 g.

Biology

Propagation and dispersal
Through seeds and subterranean bolters.

Habit
Perennial.

Importance

Red fescue is found as a weed at properties where it is part of the crop rotation as either roughage or seed crop. As a weed Red Fescue is without particular importance as it belongs to the slow-growing grasses.

For treatment options, consult 'Herbicides Across'.
For more options, consult 'Main Menu'.

Taxonomy

Gramineae.

Names in different languages

Danish :	Svingel, rød
German :	Roter Schwingel
English :	Red Fescue
Latin :	Festuca rubra L.
Norwegian :	Raudsvingel
Swedish :	Rödsvingel

Very early stage

Early stage

Ligule

Rolled leaf

Flowering spikelets

Mature plant

Seeds

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Weed biology Agro-region: Denmark