Lolium arundinaceum, commonly known as tall fescue, is a cool-season perennial grass originally from Europe, where it is found in a variety of habitats including woodland margins, grasslands, and coastal marshes. It has been widely naturalized in many parts of the world. Tall fescue typically grows up to 65 inches tall and is characterized by its flat leaves and an erect panicle inflorescence that bears numerous small, wind-pollinated flowers. The plant is valued for its durability and ability to thrive in a range of conditions, making it a popular choice for turf lawns, erosion control, and as a forage grass in agriculture.

Tall fescue is appreciated for its low maintenance requirements, with good drought tolerance and the ability to adapt to a variety of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils. It can grow in both full sun and partial shade. In ornamental settings, it is used for its textural contrast in borders and as a ground cover. However, it can become problematic due to its potential invasiveness, especially in the United States where it can outcompete native species and reduce biodiversity. It is also susceptible to fungal diseases such as brown patch and can harbor endophytic fungi that produce alkaloids toxic to some grazing animals.CC BY-SA 4.0