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Festuca virdula

Bunchgrass

Bunchgrass
aka Green-leaf Fescue. There are 33 genera (85 species) of grasses in the flora of MRNP. Most are hard to distinguish, or even see, lost in the forest understory, streambanks or meadows, but bunchgrass is the key attraction of the “dry grass” meadows of Sunrise. The high (6,500’+) subalpine environmental here is much drier than Paradise and bunchgrass is the dominant species. While not showy the flower are borne in a small structure called a spikelet. The small clumps grow to 16 ” – 32′ (40 – 80 cm) tall. The dry grass “community” will also include Cascade Aster, Western Anemone, Cusick’s Veronica, paintbrush , cinquefoil and other showy plants.

Family:

Poaceae - GRASS FAMILY

Genus:

Festuca from Latin festuca 'a grass stalk or straw'

Species:

virdula meaning 'somewhat green'
Photo location: From several locations but predominantly the dry grass meadows above Sunrise.