BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Vulpia microstachys | Small Fescue 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Small fescue is a weedy, native, annual, with erect or geniculate culms
growing from 5.9 to 13.8 inches in height (1.5 dm-3.5 dm) [4].  The
often purplish-tinged spikelets or branches of inflorescences are three-
to five-flowered, and glumes are glabrous [4,13]. 


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Therophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Small fescue, an annual, reproduces by seed which drops to the ground at
maturity.


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Small fescue occurs on dry to moderately moist, disturbed sites [4].  It
codominates with annual hairgrass (Deschampsia danthonioides) and hairy
brome (Bromus commutatus) on many Oregon bluegrass (Poa spp.) scabland
sites [16].  Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora grows well on sandy,
disturbed sites, whereas V. m. var. microstachys occurs most commonly in
loose soil on open slopes, and along ditches and roadways [13].  Vulpia
microstachys var. ciliata grows on loose sandy soil of forest openings
[13].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Facultative Seral Species

Although small fescue is present in several climax communities, it is
most abundant on early seral sites.  In threetip sagebrush, (Artemisia
tripartita)-Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) communities of Washington
and Oregon, small fescue increases in response to disturbance along with
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), and plantain (Plantago spp.), while
perennial grasses decrease [6].  Following disturbance in Washington
steppe communities, small fescue becomes increasingly abundant as
perennial grasses decline [5].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Small fescue begins growth in the spring and matures earlier than
associated perennial grasses.

Related categories for Species: Vulpia microstachys | Small Fescue