Red Fescue
Festuca rubra
A fine-textured grass with slender leaves that can have a reddish tint at the base, giving it the name “Red Fescue.” It tolerates salt spray and occasional mowing, making it common in coastal grassland on Lihou. Its seed heads can form attractive, wispy tufts when allowed to grow taller.
- Habitat: Coastal turf, meadows, dunes, and lawns
- When to See: Flowers (produces seed heads) in late spring and summer
- Length: Usually 20–40 cm, though can be shorter if grazed or mown