SPECIES

HABITAT

GROWTH FORM

LIFE SPAN

PALAT.

(1)

PUF

(2)

GRAZING

(3)

FIRE

(4)

REMARKS

Fescue Tribe

Bromus inermis

Smooth brome

introduced

rhizomatous

P

good until heading

60%

(9cm)

invader

susceptible to spring and early summer burns; fire stimulates new shoots

protein drops dramatically as matures

Bromus pumpellianus

Pumpelly brome

dry forest edges

rhizomatous

killed by fire during growing season

Bromus tectorum

Downy brome

introduced; disturbed sites

bunchgrass

A

fair to good for short period in spring

invader

tolerant of fire - plant burns but seed survives; invades if fire damages perennials

indicator of poor range condition; awns can cause mechanical injury

Distichlis spicata var.

stricta

Inland saltgrass

wet and dry saline soils

rhizomatous; sod -forming

P

poor

increaser

tolerant of fire, not usually warranted however

indicates saline-alkali soils; grazed when little other available forage; important nesting cover

Festuca altaica

Altai fescue

open forest, meadows and grassland

bunchgrass; often short rhizomes

P

good to excellent during season; fair when cured

50%

(11cm)

intolerant of heavy grazing; decreaser

least damaged by early spring or late fall burn

indicates well managed range; protein high in winter; susceptible to trampling damage

Festuca campestris

Rough fescue

moist grasslands of interior; northerly slopes

bunchgrass; occasionally with short rhizomes

P

good to excellent during season; fair when cured

50%

(11cm)

intolerant of heavy grazing; decreaser

least damaged by early spring or late fall burn

indicates well managed range; protein high in winter; susceptible to trampling damage