Friday 17 May
Grass (Sporobolus caespitosus)
CRITICALLYENDANGERED
Grass fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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Grass description
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Cyperales |
| Family | Gramineae |
| Genus | Sporobolus (1) |
Sporobolus caespitosus is a small, perennial grass that is native to Ascension Island (2). Plants grow together in short, thick tufts in which many of the outer leaves are dead and the flower spike is usually hidden amongst the leaf blades (2).
- Size
- Height: less than 10 cm (2)
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Related species
Grass biology
Information currently unavailable.
TopGrass range
Endemic to Ascension Island in the South Atlantic, this species is now restricted to the exposed sides of Green Mountain (3).
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Species with a similar range
Grass habitat
This species inhabits some of the more exposed sites, such as bare rock slopes and steep cinder banks. It is found at altitudes greater than 600 metres above sea level (2).
TopGrass status
Sporobolus caespitosus is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Grass threats
It is thought that Sporobolus caespitosus was previously more abundant than it is today. It may be suffering from competition with introduced species, such as the grasses Sporobolus africanus, Melinis minutiflora and Paspalum conjungatum (3).
TopGrass conservation
Ascension Conservation is involved with monitoring the population of this rare grass and will be in a position to assess the effects of competition (3).
TopAuthentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk
Glossary
- Endemic
- A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
- Perennial
- Plants that live for at least three seasons; after an initial period they produce flowers once a year.
References
-
IUCN Red List (August, 2012)
http://www.iucnredlist.org/ - Ashmole, P. & Ashmole, M. (2000) St. Helena and Ascension Island: a natural history.
- Anthony Nelson, England. Gray, A. (2003) Red List Assessment Form. Ascension Conservation.
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Image credit
Sporobolus caespitosus foliage
© Martin Hamilton / Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 3AB
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 208 332 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 208 332 5197
info@kew.org
http://www.rbgkew.org.uk
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