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| ## annual fescue {#annual-fescue .Title-Header}                       |
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| *Vulpia myuros* (L.) K.C. Gmel.                                       |
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| Plant Symbol = VUMY                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS California State Office and Lockeford Plant
Materials Center, California

### ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="1.6743055555555555in" height="2.5118055555555556in"}

##### Alternative Names {#alternative-names .Header-3}

##### Rat-tail fescue, foxtail fescue {#rat-tail-fescue-foxtail-fescue .Header-3}

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

**Uses**

Erosion Control: Annual fescue has an excellent fibrous root system that
provides soil stabilization on natural and man-made disturbed areas. It
will provide initial erosion control and as the site improves in
condition, will allow climax species to invade.

Cover Crop: Annual fescue has proved to be a valuable cover crop in
almonds and other crops where a shorter height is required and mowing is
frequent. It increases water penetration in problem orchards and
provides a self-perpetuating cover. In comparison trials, it took more
abuse than Blando brome (*Bromus mollis*) and produced less residue.

#####  {#section-2 .Header-3}

##### Wildlife: Its early green growth provides some value for wildlife food, nesting and good cover in the spring season.  {#wildlife-its-early-green-growth-provides-some-value-for-wildlife-food-nesting-and-good-cover-in-the-spring-season. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-3 .Header-3}

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness {#weediness .Header-3}

Annual fescue is irregularly scattered in the West in wasteland, fields,
and overgrazed areas. This plant may become weedy or invasive in some
regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not
properly managed. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office,
Cooperative Extension Service office, or state natural resource or
agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is
also available from the PLANTS Web site. Please consult the Related Web
Sites on the Plant Profile for this species.

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*General*: Grass Family (Poaceae). Annual fescue is an introduced,
short, aggressive, early maturing cool season annual grass with many
fibrous roots. It has excellent seedling vigor and emerges in fall very
soon after the first rain. It matures seed earlier than most annual
grasses, assuring perpetuation. It can tolerate soil problems of
acidity, serpentine, and low fertility. This species is native to Asia
and Europe.

*Distribution*: This species can be found in California, Oregon,
Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and in several localities on
the East Coast. For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

**Adaptation**

Annual fescue is a drought tolerant grass that will persist and provide
good erosion control cover with an annual precipitation of at least
25cm. (10 in.), or on areas receiving extra run-in moisture, and on
areas receiving some supplemental irrigation. It has persisted on sites
up to 1365 m. (4500 ft) and tolerates highly acid sedimentary soils and
acidic mine spoils (pH 4.5). It germinates and grows in low fertility
and shallow soils.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

The optimum time for seeding is between October 1 and November 15.
Loosening the soil surface before seeding and covering lightly produces
the best stands. Seed can be hydro-seeded, but best establishment occurs
when the seed is in contact with the soil. Recommended seeding rates on
critical areas are: broadcast, hydroseeded-3 pounds pure live seed per
acre; drilled- 2 pounds pure live seed per acre and depth should be 1 to
2 cm (0.5 to 1 inch). Seed can be drilled or broadcast, but because of
its size and shape, it tends to stick together. Rice hulls and/or a good
companion seed will help prevent "bridging over," and allow proper
dispersion of seed. There are about 993,700 seeds per pound.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

##### Applying 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre every other season during October or November will maintain healthy, erosion resistant stands. Annual fescues are initial invaders, so as sites improve, taller, more enduring plants will probably replace annual fescue, unless the area is mowed or grazed. In cover crop planting, annual fescue can be mowed frequently, but should be allowed to produce mature seed for continued perpetuation. It is readily controlled by several herbicides, providing assurance that it will not become a troublesome weed.  {#applying-40-pounds-of-nitrogen-per-acre-every-other-season-during-october-or-november-will-maintain-healthy-erosion-resistant-stands.-annual-fescues-are-initial-invaders-so-as-sites-improve-taller-more-enduring-plants-will-probably-replace-annual-fescue-unless-the-area-is-mowed-or-grazed.-in-cover-crop-planting-annual-fescue-can-be-mowed-frequently-but-should-be-allowed-to-produce-mature-seed-for-continued-perpetuation.-it-is-readily-controlled-by-several-herbicides-providing-assurance-that-it-will-not-become-a-troublesome-weed. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-4 .Header-3}

**Seeds and Plant Production**

Annual fescue has been grown in large-scale seed increase blocks at the
Lockeford Plant Materials Center for the last three years. Seed was
planted at a 3 lb./acre rate in 30 inch rows with a Planet Junior
planter. Broad-leaf weed control herbicides are used. Seed is combined
directly with an Allis Chalmers All-Crop Harvester, Model 72. Shattering
is a problem at harvest time, so the seed is usually harvested while
still a little green. Therefore, seed has to be dried in the field or a
dryer before cleaning. Also, seed can be harvested using a flail-vac
harvester.

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to
provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty
the products and control methods named, and other products may be
equally effective.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

'Zorro' Cultivar- Seed for this cultivar was collected from native
plants on droughty strips of a Colombia fine sandy loam at the Plant
Materials Center, Lockeford, California. This collection was assigned as
P1-109-71 and named Zorro in December 1976. It has excellent seedling
vigor and has shown superior seedling establishment compared to 'Blando'
soft brome (*Bromus mollis*) on infertile, shallow or droughty soils
where erosion control is critical. It matures seed about 10 days to two
weeks earlier than Blando (in May-June) if moisture conditions are
normal. This earlier maturity assures perpetuation in droughty and low
rainfall areas.

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

##### References {#references .Header-3}

##### CalPhotos. 2005. *Vulpia myuros*. Accessed: 24 August 2005. [**http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/photos/browse_imgs/plant_com_411.html**](http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/photos/browse_imgs/plant_com_411.html).  {#calphotos.-2005.-vulpia-myuros.-accessed-24-august-2005.-httpelib.cs.berkeley.eduphotosbrowse_imgsplant_com_411.html. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-5 .Header-3}

##### USDA NRCS. No date. *Notice of release of 'Zorro' annual fescue for soil stabilization and cover.* USDA NRCS and California Agricultural Experiment Station, Davis, CA. {#usda-nrcs.-no-date.-notice-of-release-of-zorro-annual-fescue-for-soil-stabilization-and-cover.-usda-nrcs-and-california-agricultural-experiment-station-davis-ca. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-6 .Header-3}

##### USDA NRCS. 1977. *Management and uses of Zorro annual fescue.* Davis, CA. {#usda-nrcs.-1977.-management-and-uses-of-zorro-annual-fescue.-davis-ca. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-7 .Header-3}

##### Prepared By:  {#prepared-by .Header-3}

Dyer, Dave, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Lockeford, CA and Reina
O'Beck, California State Office, Davis, CA.

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

##### Dave Dyer, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Lockeford, California, {#dave-dyer-usda-nrcs-plant-materials-center-lockeford-california .Header-3}

##### Edited: 14sep2005 jsp; 060818 jsp {#edited-14sep2005-jsp-060818-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
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orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
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large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
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*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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