Calamovilfa arcuata | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Poaceae |
Genus: | Calamovilfa |
Species: | C. arcuata |
Binomial name | |
Calamovilfa arcuata K.E. Rogers | |
Synonyms | |
Sporobolus arcuatus |
Calamovilfa arcuata, commonly known as Cumberland sandreed, [2] is a species of flowering plant in the grass family. It is native to the southeastern United States, [3] where it is found in river scour zones. Due to its specialized habitat, it has a highly localized range, found only on the Cumberland Plateau and in the Ouachita Mountains. [4]
This species is found only is a specialized riverine habitat that is kept open by extreme flood scouring events. These flood events naturally occur in high-gradient, rocky rivers, which results in the prevention of large tree growth. This species takes advantage of the prairie-like openings these floods create. [5] Due to its specialized habitat, and low density of populations, Calamovilfa arcuata is considered imperiled. [1] On the Cumberland Plateau, it is most often found on sandstone cobble where it co-occurs with two other rare plants that are also restricted to this habitat: Conradina verticillata (Cumberland rosemary) and Solidago arenicola (sand goldenrod). [6]
This species produces flowers in late summer, at the time when the chances of a scouring flood occurring are lessened. [7]
Calamovilfa arcuata was first described to science in 1970 from a population found on Daddys Creek in Cumberland County, Tennessee. [5] Recent genetic evidence suggests that this species, along with the rest of the genus Calamofilva, are perhaps best instead included in the genus Sporobolus , although this change has yet to receive widespread recognition. [4]