Hairy Orcutt grass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hairy Orcutt grass |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Orcuttia |
| Species: |
O. pilosa
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| Binomial name | |
| Orcuttia pilosa Hoover
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Orcuttia pilosa is a very rare type of grass. People often call it hairy Orcutt grass because it has tiny hairs all over it. This special grass is found in only one part of the world.
Contents
Where Hairy Orcutt Grass Lives
This grass grows only in the Central Valley of California. It is endemic to this area, which means it naturally lives nowhere else. Hairy Orcutt grass needs a special home called a vernal pool.
What are Vernal Pools?
Vernal pools are like temporary ponds. They fill up with water during the rainy winter and spring months. Then, they dry out completely in the hot summer. These unique pools are a rare and shrinking type of habitat.
Why This Grass is Rare
Many places where hairy Orcutt grass used to grow have disappeared. This is because the Central Valley is a big farming area. Land has been changed for farms and buildings. Because of this, the grass was listed as an endangered species in 1997. This means it is in danger of disappearing forever.
Back in 1997, only 25 groups of these plants were known to exist. Sadly, less than half of these groups were considered healthy and stable.
What Hairy Orcutt Grass Looks Like
Orcuttia pilosa is a small plant. It is an annual bunchgrass, which means it grows from a seed each year and forms a clump. The grass can grow up to about 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) tall. It stands upright and has many tiny hairs all over its stems and leaves.
Its Flowers and Seeds
The plant's flowers and seeds grow in a tight cluster. This cluster is called an inflorescence. It is made up of many small, overlapping parts called spikelets. These spikelets are also covered in tiny hairs.
Images for kids
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A close-up of the hairy Orcutt grass.
See also
In Spanish: Orcuttia pilosa para niños
 | Valerie Thomas |
 | Frederick McKinley Jones |
 | George Edward Alcorn Jr. |
 | Thomas Mensah |
