# Distichlis bajaensis

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***Distichlis bajaensis*** is a rare species of [grass](/source/Poaceae) known by the common name **Baja grass**.[1]

## Distribution

*Distichlis bajaensis* is [endemic](/source/Endemism) to [Baja California](/source/Baja_California), [Mexico](/source/Mexico), where it is known from only one location in a [salt marsh](/source/Salt_marsh) just outside [Rosarito](/source/Rosarito_Beach).[1] The habitat is an [arroyo](/source/Arroyo_(watercourse)) with [saline](/source/Soil_salinity) and [alkaline soils](/source/Alkali_soils) which is grazed by [goats](/source/Goat) and [burros](/source/Burro).[1]

The grass grows alongside other [halophytes](/source/Halophyte) including [spiny rush](/source/Juncus_acutus) (*Juncus acutus*), [iodinebush](/source/Allenrolfea) (*Allenrolfea occidentalis*), and [pickleweed](/source/Salicornia) (*Salicornia* sp.).[1] [Genetic](/source/Genetic_analysis) and [morphological](/source/Morphology_(biology)) analyses show that the plant is not any other *Distichlis*, nor a [hybrid](/source/Hybrid_(biology)) of the two most closely related *Distichlis*, and it was described to science as a new species in 2010.[1]

## Description

*Distichlis bajaensis* is a [rhizomatous](/source/Rhizome) perennial grass growing in short clumps and spreading via [stolons](/source/Stolons). The leaf blades are no more than 1.5 centimeters long and are slightly bent; this bend is a good characteristic for identifying this grass in the field.[1] Like other *Distichlis*, Baja grass is [dioecious](/source/Plant_sexuality), with male and female [inflorescences](/source/Inflorescence); only the male inflorescence has been included in the official description because no good female specimens have been collected.[1]

## References

1. Bell, H. L. (2010). A new species of *Distichlis* (Poaceae, Chloridoideae) from Baja California, Mexico. *Madroño* 57:1 54-63.

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