Orcuttia viscida
Sacramento orcutt grass
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Orcuttia viscida (Sacramento orcutt grass) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by uniquely distinguished by strong aromatic and sticky characteristics.
Sacramento orcutt grass is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in the Sacramento Valley in vernal pools at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces small flowers in compact spikelets that are sticky and strongly aromatic. Growing with erect to spreading stems 3 to 10 centimeters tall, it develops a hairy, delicate structure that becomes more open with age. Its leaves are narrow, with blades 2 to 4 millimeters wide, and the plant features distinctive spikelets with glumes 5 to 6 millimeters long that have unequally three-toothed edges. The fruit is widely elliptic and approximately 2.5 millimeters long, reflecting the plant's diminutive yet intricate nature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; uniquely distinguished by strong aromatic and sticky characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: Vernal pools
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Sacramento
Bloom period
Orcuttia viscida blooms Apr-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Frequently asked questions
Is Orcuttia viscida native to California?
Yes. Orcuttia viscida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Orcuttia viscida bloom?
Orcuttia viscida blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Orcuttia viscida grow?
Orcuttia viscida occurs in Sacramento, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Orcuttia viscida belong to?
Orcuttia viscida is in the Poaceae family, genus Orcuttia.
Is Orcuttia viscida rare or endangered?
Orcuttia viscida carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Orcuttia californica — California orcutt grass
- Orcuttia inaequalis — San joaquin valley orcutt grass
- Orcuttia pilosa — Hairy orcutt grass
- Orcuttia sp.
- Orcuttia tenuis — Slender orcutt grass
- Oryza sativa — Domestic rice
- Oryza sp. — Rice
- Panicum acuminatum — Western panicgrass
- Panicum acuminatum var. fasciculatum — Pacific panic grass
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.