Westervelt Ecological Services

Species Spotlight: Hairy Orcutt Grass

hairy-orcutt-grass

Chad Aakre Chad Aakre

Chad Aakre, a senior ecologist with Westervelt Ecological Services in the Western Region, was recently published in the California Native Grasslands Association’s quarterly publication Grasslands. In the article, Aakre describes Hairy Orcutt gass, an endemic species found in just a few counties in California.

We have included a short section of the article below. To read the entire article, please visit: https://cnga.org/resources/Documents/Grasslands%20Journal/Grassland%20Issues/2020%20Grasslands%20Journal/Grasslands%20Summer%202020%20Vol%2030%20No%203.pdf

The article can be found on page 18 of the publication.

“Hairy Orcutt grass (Orcuttia pilosa) is a rare grass endemic to vernal pools of the Central Valley and San Joaquin Valley of California, occurring presently within four counties and a handful of known locations. I first became familiar with this species in association with a project specifically targeting hairy Orcutt grass for restoration, enhancement, and management in Madera County. As I researched further into this species and its tribe, I have become increasingly fascinated by its tenacity to adapt and persist in harsh environments.” (Aakre, 2020)

Aakre, C. (summer 2020). Species Spotlight: Hairy Orcutt Grass (Orcuttia pilosa). Grasslands, 18-20. Retrieved August 20, 2020, from https://cnga.org/resources/Documents/Grasslands%20Journal/Grassland%20Issues/2020%20Grasslands%20Journal/Grasslands%20Summer%202020%20Vol%2030%20No%203.p