Swallenia is a rare monotypic genus of plants in the grass family, found only in Death Valley National Park, California.Soderstrom, Thomas Robert & Decker, Henry Fleming. 1963. Madroño 17(3): 88Swallen, Jason Richard. 1950. Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences 40(1): 19-21 descriptions in parallel English + Latin, discussion in English, photo of herbarium specimen
The only known species is Swallenia alexandrae, known by the common names Eureka dunegrass and Eureka Valley dune grass. This genus was named for American botanist Jason Richard Swallen (who specialized in grasses), while the species name was in honor of American philanthropist, museum founder, and paleontologist Annie Montague Alexander.
Distribution Eureka dunegrass is a rare plant that is endemic to Inyo County, California, where it can be found on a single isolated dune system: the Eureka Valley Sand Dunes in the Eureka Valley of the Mojave Desert, within the boundaries of Death Valley National Park.Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution mapUniversity of British Columbia Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, Botany Photo of the Day, Swallenia alexandrae, By Daniel Mosquin on December 7, 2007 Only five occurrences are known for this species.
Description Swallenia alexandrae is a coarse, tufted perennial grass which grows in sand from thick rhizomes. Its stiffly erect clums, sharp-leafed blades, and erect pale-colored panicle inflorescences are diagnostic.Jepson Manual Treatment
Endangered status Eureka dunegrass is a federally listed threatened species of the United States.Plant Conservation Report 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.The Nature Conservancy
References
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