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Poaceae
Guadalupe Fescue (Festuca ligulata)is a loosely tufted perennial grass 17 to 32 inches tall with slender stems and rough leaves curving upward from a rhizomatous base. The only known population in the United States of Festuca ligulata, occurs in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park. Two historical sites in Culverson County and the Guadalupe Mountains have been extirpated. Festuca ligulata is a palatable forage grass and is subject to grazing pressure, particularly from domestic animals. Heavy grazing of cattle sheep and goats in Big Bend National Park during the 1940's may possibly have had a deleterious effect on Festuca. The species is listed as a Category 1 under the Endangered Species Act.
There is at least one other grass species in the area that is vegetatively similar in appearance to Festuca (Piptochaetum fimbriatum). The high number of reproductive individuals in 1990 allowed positive determination of plants that may not have been determined as Festuca in past years. Festuca appears to inhabit the more rocky, steep sites, while Piptochaetum fimbriatum prefers flat, open areas. A large number of individuals was discovered upslope from the majority of the population. The population number is currently estimated to contain 500-1000 plants.
Seeds of some Fescue species have been known to deteriorate rapidly in storage. An endosymbiotic fungus may invade the seeds of Festuca, although the exact nature of this interaction is unknown. Approximately 1500 seeds were collected in 1991, as summer rainfall and seed production were very high. Desert Botanical Garden is conducting studies related to germination and storage requirements of seeds, and seedling survival and ecology.
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