A.S. Hitchc.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.133756
Element CodePMPOA5V060
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyPoaceae
GenusSporobolus
Other Common NamesNarrow-spiked Dropseed (EN) spike dropseed (EN) Spike Dropseed (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-07-16
Change Date1988-02-24
Edition Date2024-07-16
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsSporobolus contractus is a perennial grass occurring in sandy soils, and occasionally in salt-desert scrub, desert grasslands, and pinyon-juniper woodlands in the southwestern United States from California and Nevada east to Texas and Oklahoma as well as Mexico; it is nonnative in the northern United States from Maine and New York east to Michigan and Washington. It is threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, livestock grazing, and drought. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent and over 300 occurrences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsSporobolus contractus occurs in North America in the western United States from California and Nevada east to Texas and Oklahoma; it is nonnative in the northern United States from Maine and New York east to Michigan and in Washington (FNA 2003). It is also found in Mexico. The majority of occurrences in North America are in the southwest, and the Native Plant Trust calls this species an "occasional visitor" to New England (Native Plant Trust 2024). Range extent was estimated to be over 4 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, it is estimated that there are over 300 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Sporobolus contractus is potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, livestock grazing, drought, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.