Taxon Report

Orcuttia viscida (Hoov.) J. Reeder

Sacramento Orcutt grass

Print Report


© Rick York and CNPS

Taxon Summary

Orcuttia viscida, commonly known as Sacramento Orcutt grass, is a annual herb in the Poaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Vernal pools, growing at elevations from 30 to 100 meters. Orcuttia viscida is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.


  Classification

Scientific Name:
Orcuttia viscida (Hoov.) J. Reeder
Common Name:
Sacramento Orcutt grass
Family: Poaceae
Element Code: PMPOA4G070
USDA Plants Symbol: ORVI2
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Orcuttia californica Hoov. var. viscida

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: annual herb
Blooming Period: Apr-Jul(Sep) Apr-Jul(Sep)
Elevation: 30-100 (100-330)
General Habitats: Vernal pools
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 19
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 3
   Good (B) 6
   Fair (C) 1
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 2
   Unknown (U) 7
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Sacramento (SAC)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Buffalo Creek (3812152), Carmichael (3812153), Elk Grove (3812143), Folsom (3812162), Goose Creek (3812131)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 13
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
11 58 %
Non-native plant impacts 7 36%
Grazing 6 31%
Development 5 26%
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime 4 21%
Foot traffic/trampling 2 10%
Landfill 2 10%
ORV activity 2 10%
Road/trail construction/maint. 2 10%
Other 1 5%
Recreational use (non-ORV) 1 5%
Insufficient population/stand size 1 5%
Agriculture 1 5%
Erosion/runoff 1 5%

Notes

Seriously threatened by agriculture, urbanization, overgrazing, vehicles, and non-native plants. Protected in part at Phoenix Field ER (DFG). See Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 68(3):155 (1941) for original description, and American Journal of Botany 69:1082-1095 (1982) for taxonomic treatment.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 24 February 2025].