**5. Conclusions**

We examined the species pool of the sandy grasslands in the steppe, forest-steppe zone of the central region of the Carpathian Basin, with greater consideration of the dominant *Festuca* species. Three of them occurred in the open sandy grasslands: *F. vaginata, F. pseudovaginata* (the latter appeared on disturbed grasslands after deforestation) and *F. tomanii* as a new species in the Carpathian Basin. We compared the morphotaxonomy of these taxa, especially the characteristics which can be useful

when distinguishing them during field work. Micromorphological examination of the epidermis and phytolith analysis were new elements. These can refine the on-the-spot identification of these taxa.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization—K.P.; Data Curation—A.C.; Investigation—A.F.F., D.S., G.P., L.K., K.V., J.P., C.L., Z.L.-S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** The work was funded by OTKA K-125423, EFOP-3.6.2-16-201700001 and TKP2020-NKA-21.

**Acknowledgments:** The work was supported by OTKA K-125423, TKP2020-NKA-21 and EFOP-3.6.2-16-201700001. We acknowledge the general support of the Kiskunság National Park, the Duna-Ipoly National Park, the Fert˝o-Hanság National Park, Budapest Waterworks, The Mayor's Office, Budapest. Author Z.L.-S. was supported by the European Union and the State of Hungary, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund in project GINOP-2.3.2.-15-2016-00009 'ICER.'

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
