kids encyclopedia robot

Sacramento Orcutt grass facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Sacramento Orcutt grass
Orcuttia viscida.jpg
Conservation status

Endangered (ESA)
Scientific classification
Genus:
Orcuttia
Species:
viscida

Orcuttia viscida is a rare species of grass known by the common name Sacramento Orcutt grass.

Distribution

It is endemic to Sacramento County, California, where it grows only in vernal pools, a rare and declining type of habitat. As of 1997, two of the nine known populations had been extirpated as habitat has been consumed for urban development, and it was federally listed as an endangered species.

Since its listing, one additional occurrence of the plant has been discovered, for a total of eight extant populations.

Description

Orcuttia viscida is a small, hairy, aromatic annual grass forming sticky, glandular tufts up to 10 or 15 centimeters in maximum height. The inflorescence is a small, crowded cluster of spikelets with awned tips that curve outward at maturity, giving the spikes a bristly appearance.

kids search engine
Sacramento Orcutt grass Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.