Introductory
SPECIES: Vulpia myuros | Foxtail Fescue 



ABBREVIATION : 
VULMYU

SYNONYMS : 
   Festuca myuros
   Vulpia megalura
   Festuca megalura


SCS PLANT CODE : 
   VUMY
   VUMYH


COMMON NAMES : 
   foxtail fescue
   rattail fescue
   six weeks fescue


TAXONOMY : 
The fully documented scientific species name is Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C.
Gmelin.  The annual fescues, only weakly distinguished from the
perennial fescues, were previously placed in the subgenus Vulpia within
the genus Festuca.  According to Cronquist and others [2], most American
researchers now follow European workers in giving the annual fescues
generic status.

Two varieties are recognized:  V. m. var. myuros and V. m. var. hirsuta
Hack. [13].

Foxtail fescue was formerly known as Vulpia (or Festuca) megalura.  This
species was thought to be a native North American species closely
related to Vulpia myuros, a European introduction.  The distinguishing
characteristic was considered to be the ciliate lemma of V. megalura
[2].  However, ciliate lemmas are also found on some European specimens,
and most researchers now place Vulpia megalura within the species V.
myuros [2,14].

Foxtail fescue (V. m. var. myuros) hybridizes with red fescue (Festuca
rubra) in Britain [13].


LIFE FORM : 
Graminoid

FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER STATUS : 
NO-ENTRY


COMPILED BY AND DATE : 
D. Tirmenstein, February 1987


LAST REVISED BY AND DATE : 
D. Tirmenstein, January 1988


AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION : 
Tirmenstein, D. A. 1987. Vulpia myuros. In: Remainder of Citation

Related categories for Species: Vulpia myuros | Foxtail Fescue