Festuca brachyphylla, F. saximontana and related species in North America

American material of Festuca brachyphylla Schult. & Schult., F. saximontana Rydb. and related species was studied. Based on morphology and anatomy F. brachyphylla was separated into three subspecies, two of which are only found in very restricted areas of the southern part of North America, one in California (ssp. breviculmis Frederiksen ssp. nov.) and one in Colorado and neighbouring states (ssp. coloraden–sis Frederiksen ssp. nov.). F. jenseni Gjaerevoll & Ryvarden was found to be the same as F. brachyphylla i.flavida Polun. and the forma level is chosen. F. brachyphylla var. groenlandica Schol. is raised to F. groenlandica (Schol.) Frederiksen. Within F. saximontana a new combination (f. saximontana Rydb. var. purpusiana Frederiksen & Pavlick) is made. American distribution of the taxa studied is mapped. A key including all the taxa has been prepared.