Rydb.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.132408
Element CodePMPOA2V0R0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyPoaceae
GenusFestuca
SynonymsFestuca ovina var. rydbergiiSt.-Yves
Other Common NamesFétuque des Rocheuses (FR) Rocky Mountain fescue (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-09-18
Change Date1984-05-16
Edition Date2024-09-18
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsFestuca saximontana is a perennial grass occurring in grasslands, meadows, forests, and sand dunes in boreal, montane, and subalpine regions of most of western and northeastern North America and Russia. There are over 400 estimated occurrences of this species, which are potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, succession, grazing, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, a high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Festuca saximontana is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsFestuca saximontana occurs throughout North America, from Alaska and throughout most of Canada, south to the western United States, and Wisconsin east to Vermont (FNA 2007). It also occurs in northern Russia (POWO 2024). Range extent was estimated to be over 19 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024). See individual entries for distribution details about the three varieties.
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be over 400 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Festuca saximontana is potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, succession, grazing, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.