The grass species already present in an area can be a good indicator of its suitability for tall fescue. Continental tall fescue types usually are adapted where other temperate perennial species with some summer activity are growing already, such as perennial ryegrass, browntop (Agrostis spp.), and Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus L.). Mediterranean tall fescues usually are adapted where winter annual grasses such as barley grass (Hordeum murinum L.) and soft bromegrass (Bromus hordeaceus L.) are dominant. Where naturalized temperate summer-active species are rare, continental fescues usually will require irrigation to persist. Where subtropical grasses, such as paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum Poir), kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov.), and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], are dominant, Mediterranean fescues will have difficulty persisting.
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