Orcuttia inaequalis (San Joaquin Valley Orcutt Grass)
Credit: Sheryl Creer
about the species
The San Joaquin Valley Orcutt grass, Orcuttia inaequalis, is a rare grass that is endemic to California's Central Valley and is a vernal pool specialist. This grass is adapted to vernal pool habitat in that it has two phases: an aquatic seedling phase and a terrestrial adult phase. The method of photosynthesis changes with each phase-- the aquatic phase utilizes the CAM pathway while the terrestrial utilizes C4. It is state and federally listed as endangered and is considered to be a rare plant.
why species was selected
Vernal pool habitat is highly fragmented and under threat of further development. The California Natural Diversity Database lists only 47 populations of this plant with 16 believed to be extirpated. Understanding standing variation, gene flow, and inbreeding rates across the range of this threatened, endangered, endemic plant will provide new avenues for conservation and protection.
