Swallenia Explained

Swallenia is a rare genus of plants in the grass family, found only in Death Valley National Park, California.^{[1] [2]}

The only known species is Swallenia alexandrae, known by the common names Eureka dunegrass^[3] and Eureka Valley dune grass. This genus was named for American botanist Jason Richard Swallen (1903-1991). The species was named for American philanthropist and paleontological collector Annie Montague Alexander.^[4]

Description

This is a rare plant endemic to Inyo County, California, where it is found on a single isolated dune system, the Eureka Valley Sand Dunes in the Eureka Valley of the Mojave Desert, within Death Valley National Park.^{[5] [6]}

Description

Swallenia alexandrae is a coarse, tufted perennial grass which grows in sand from thick rhizomes. Its stiffly erect clums, sharp-leafed grass, and erect pale-colored panicle inflorescences are diagnostic.^[7]

Endangered status

This is a federally listed threatened species of the United States.^[8] The main threat to the species survival has been off-roading, which is no longer permitted in its habitat. Trespassing off-roaders and campers are still a threat to the five remaining occurrences.^[9]

External links

• Calflora Database: Swallenia alexandrae (Eureka Valley dune grass, Eureka dunegrass)
• Jepson Manual treatment for Swallenia alexandrae
• Grass Manual Profile
• Swallenia alexandrae — UC Photos gallery

Notes and References

1. Soderstrom, Thomas Robert & Decker, Henry Fleming. 1963. Madroño 17(3): 88
2. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/39703769#page/489/mode/1up Swallen, Jason Richard. 1950. Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences 40(1): 19-21
3. Web site: ECOS: Species Profile. 2020-12-18. ecos.fws.gov.
4. Book: Bonta, Marcia . 1991. Texas A & M University Press. 0-89096-467-X. 1st. College Station. 49–60. 22623848.
5. http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Swallenia%20alexandrae.png Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution map
6. http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/2007/12/swallenia_alexandrae.php University of British Columbia Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, Botany Photo of the Day, Swallenia alexandrae, By Daniel Mosquin on December 7, 2007
7. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?8738,9310,9311 Jepson Manual Treatment
8. http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/ASP/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=4171 Plant Conservation Report
9. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Swallenia+alexandrae The Nature Conservancy