Festuca scabra, commonly known as Rough Fescue, is a perennial grass native to the grasslands and open savannas of southern Africa, specifically Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa. It typically grows to a height of 20-70 cm, with a tufted habit and narrow, rough-textured leaves that contribute to its common name. Rough Fescue is adapted to a range of soil types but prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate drought conditions once established. It is often found in areas with a cool, moist climate, such as high-altitude grasslands and montane regions.

Rough Fescue is valued for its hardiness and is used for erosion control, as well as in naturalized meadows and prairie restorations. It is also utilized in low-maintenance lawns and as forage for livestock due to its nutritional content. In cultivation, it requires minimal care, thriving in full sun to part shade and tolerating a variety of soil conditions. While not known for showy flowers, its texture and form can add visual interest to a garden setting. There are no significant disease problems, but it may require reseeding in heavily grazed or trafficked areas to maintain its density.CC BY-SA 4.0