View source for Festuca ligulata

{{Short description|Species of grass}}
{{Speciesbox
|image =
|status = {{TNCStatus}}
|status_system = TNC
|status_ref = <ref name=tnc/>
|genus = Festuca
|species = ligulata
|authority = [[Swallen]]
}}

'''''Festuca ligulata''''' is a species of [[Poaceae|grass]] known by the common name '''Guadalupe fescue'''. There is one population each in [[Texas]] and [[Coahuila]].<ref name=tnc>[http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Festuca+ligulata ''Festuca ligulata''.]{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Nature Conservancy.</ref>

This [[rhizome|rhizomatous]] perennial grass forms clumps of stems up to 80 centimeters tall. The [[inflorescence]] is up to about 16 centimeters long and has erect or spreading branches with spikelets near the ends.<ref name=gm>[http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/info2.asp?name=Festuca_ligulata&type=treatment ''Festuca ligulata''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113921/http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/info2.asp?name=Festuca_ligulata&type=treatment |date=2016-03-04 }} Grass Manual Treatment.</ref> Flowering occurs in August and September.<ref name=tnc/>

One population of this rare grass can be found in [[Big Bend National Park]] in Texas in the United States. This population has no more than about 150 individuals. The other, a larger population, is in [[Maderas del Carmen]] in Coahuila, Mexico. Another Texas population, in the [[Guadalupe Mountains]], has not been seen since 2002. The status of a second Coahuila population is unknown.<ref name=tnc/>

A trail runs through the Texas population and the plants may experience trampling by hikers and horses. The species is threatened by [[Wildfire suppression|fire suppression]] in the park because the grass likely needs periodic small fires to keep the habitat open.<ref name=tnc/> The grass may experience grazing, as it is palatable to livestock.<ref name=cpc>[http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/Collection/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=1930 ''Festuca ligulata''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026091148/http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/Collection/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=1930 |date=2011-10-26 }} Center for Plant Conservation.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=FELI USDA Plants Profile]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q5445872}}

[[Category:Festuca|ligulata]]
[[Category:Flora of Coahuila]]
[[Category:Flora of Texas]]
[[Category:Flora of Northern America]]