Roots of fine-leaf fescue help them outcompete other plants because they release growth-inhibiting chemicals that mimic nutrients.

Fescue species release a “fake” into the surrounding soil. Weeds take it up thinking it is a nutrient when it is really empty (i.e., it’s a mimic), and thus the fescue can outcompete the weeds and reduce germination of weed seeds.

Last Updated August 23, 2016