Distichlis bajaensis

Distichlis bajaensis
Distichlis bajaensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Distichlis
Species: D. bajaensis
Binomial name
Distichlis bajaensis
H.L.Bell

Distichlis bajaensis is a rare species of grass known by the common name Baja grass.[1]

Distribution

Distichlis bajaensis is endemic to Baja California, Mexico, where it is known from only one location in a salt marsh just outside of Rosarito.[1] The habitat is an arroyo with saline and alkaline soils which is grazed by goats and burros.[1]

The grass grows alongside other halophytes including spiny rush (Juncus acutus), iodinebush (Allenrolfea occidentalis), and pickleweed (Salicornia sp.).[1] Genetic and morphological analyses show that the plant is not any other Distichlis, nor a hybrid of the two most closely related Distichlis, and it was described to science as a new species in 2010.[1]

Description

Distichlis bajaensis is a rhizomatous perennial grass growing in short clumps and spreading via stolons. The leaf blades are no more than 1.5 centimeters long and are slightly bent; this bend is a good characteristic for identifying this grass in the field.[1] Like other Distichlis, Baja grass is dioecious, with male and female inflorescences; only the male inflorescence has been included in the official description because no good female specimens have been collected.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Bell, H. L. (2010). A new species of Distichlis (Poaceae, Chloridoideae) from Baja California, Mexico. Madroño 57:1 54-63.


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