Red fescue has diverse transitional forms including numerous subspecies producing more or less vigorous runners and the densely tufted type. There are three different types, depending on the growth habit: Strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra rubra); chewings fescue (Festuca rubra commutata) and slender creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra trichophylla). The latter two are turf types and have a finer structure. Red fescue is widely distributed in lowlands, uplands, lightly shaded woodland and on dry banks. It tolerates dry soils with few nutrients, which favours its spread. In more nutrient-rich soils, red fescue is stifled by other species. Of the three, only strong creeping red fescue, with an average feed value of 5, has a grazing value on upland pastures and dry sites. However, all three forms make suitable turf grasses, producing fine, dense lawns (golf greens). Red fescue is the most commonly used species for all landscaping purposes, especially for greening large areas and embankments with low-nutrient soils.
Botanical features
| Leaf | Leaf folded in the bud, leaf sheath closed and often covered with fine hairs. Leaf blade long and approx. 4 mm wide, though more slender in the tussock-forming red fescue. Upper surface heavily ribbed (5–9 ribs), colour deep green to grey-green. Leaf blade is often folded into a V shape. Ligule very short and slightly raised at the front, auricles absent. |
| Culm | Culm often geniculately ascending 30–70 cm tall, the basal leaf sheaths are brown, papery and frayed with whitish longitudinal veins. |
| Inflorescence | A loose, upright, slightly pendulous double cluster or panicle. The lower node of the main axis has 2 side branches. Open during flowering, otherwise closed. Spikelets are lanceolate and often purple. 4–6 florets per spikelet, lemma mostly with short awns. |
| Fruit | Grain mostly 4–6 mm long, lemma tipped with awns and fringed with short hairs, the dark caryopsis is visible, the 1–2 mm long pedicel is bulbous at the top. TSW 1.0–1.5 g. Caryopsis dark brown with ventral furrow. |