Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Festuca calligera Piper
(Southwestern Fescue)
Family: Poaceae
Status: Exotic
Synonyms:
None
Festuca calligera has narrow, rolled leaves that emanate from a tight clump. The ligule is less than 2mm long and the lemma awns are generally over 1/2mm long. The inflorescence is a panicle with the spikelets appressed to the culm until anthesis, at which time the panicle becomes considerably more open. Festuca calligera is found in higher elevation meadows.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Festuca calligera, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, San Francisco Mountains, Saddle Mountain Road, June 14, 2010
Festuca calligera, panicle at anthesis, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, San Francisco Mountains, Saddle Mountain Road, June 14, 2010
Festuca calligera, panicle just before anthesis, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, San Francisco Mountains, Saddle Mountain Road, June 14, 2010
Festuca calligera, closeup of spikelets, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, San Francisco Mountains, Saddle Mountain Road, June 14, 2010
Festuca calligera, collected specimen, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, San Francisco Mountains, Saddle Mountain Road, June 14, 2010
Back to the Index