Rough Fescue

Rough fescue is a native, perennial bunchgrass of the mountains, foothills and northern prairies of Alberta.

Rough fescue grasslands are primarily found in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. On April 30th, 2003, rough fescue, Festuca scabrella, was adopted as Alberta’s provincial grass.

There are three type of rough fescue, plains rough fescue (Festuca hallii), foothills rough fescue (Festuca campestris), and northern rough fescue (Festuca altaica). All three of these grasses are found in Alberta.

Rough fescue is considered the highest producing bunchgrass in mountain grasslands.

In the foothills, rough fescue is easily recognized because it forms large tussocks known as bunch grass and has purplish stem bases.

Rough fescue provides an excellent source of forage for livestock, whether it is in summer or winter. Deer, elk, bison, and bighorn sheep use this grass as essential winter forage.

Rough fescue grasslands are diminishing and being fragmented due to habitat loss and invasive species, such as smooth brome.

Rough Fescue Rough Fescue
Figures 1 & 2   rough fescue diagrams

Rough Fescue
Figure 3   rough fescue diagram

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