Volga fescue
Festuca valesiaca
Synonyms: Festuca duriuscula var. hirsuta, Festuca ovina var. hirsuta, Festuca rupicola var. hirsuta, Festuca ovina var. glaucescens, Festuca sulcata var. valesiaca, Festuca interjecta, Festuca meredisensis, Festuca communis var. valesiaca, Festuca firma, Festuca duriuscula var. parviflora, Festuca squamulosa, Festuca rupicola subsp. kirghisorum, Festuca kirghisorum, Festuca pallens subsp. pannonica, Festuca ovina var. pannonica, Festuca rupicola f. hirsuta, Festuca valesiaca f. densiuscula, Festuca sulcata var. wagneri, Festuca valesiaca var. strictifolia, Festuca valesiaca var. banatica, Festuca duriuscula var. valesiaca, Festuca pannonica, Festuca ovina subvar. hirsuta, Festuca biformis, Festuca ovina var. valesiaca, Sesleria valesiaca, Festuca meredisensis f. subrupicola, Festuca reptans, Festuca sulcata subsp. valesiaca, Festuca valesiaca f. longifolia, Festuca saxicola, Festuca valesiaca f. crassifolia, Festuca pallens var. valesiaca, Festuca glauca var. pannonica, Festuca valesiaca var. hirsuta, Festuca calcigena, Festuca valesiaca f. craiovensis, Festuca ovina subsp. valesiaca, Festuca valesiaca subsp. kirghisorum, Festuca valesiaca f. hirtula, Festuca glauca var. filiformis, Festuca diluta, Festuca duriuscula subsp. valesiaca, Festuca ronnigeri, Festuca valesiaca f. viridis, Festuca valesiaca f. banatica, Festuca valesiaca f. arida, Festuca sulcata f. subrupicola
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Botanical Description
Festuca valesiaca, the Wallis fescue or Volga fescue, is a densely tufted, evergreen perennial grass in the Poaceae family native to the dry steppe and rocky slope habitats of Europe and temperate Asia, from the western Alps and Mediterranean basin eastward across the Russian steppes to Mongolia and western China. It forms compact, blue-grey to grey-green tussocks 15 to 60 centimetres tall, with very fine, inrolled, almost bristle-like leaves and slender, erect culms terminating in narrow, contracted panicles 3 to 10 centimetres long. The spikelets are 5- to 8-flowered, with short awns; they ripen in early summer. A characteristic species of dry grasslands, semi-arid steppe, calcareous rocky pastures and continental hillslopes, it tolerates extreme cold, drought and grazing, and has been deliberately introduced for soil stabilisation and forage in parts of North America, where it now persists in several western states.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.