Jerrold Davis published "Puccinellia howellii (Poaceae) is genetically distinct" in the journal Madroño. This paper finds that genetic (isozyme) studies of P. howellii show a high degree of genetic diversity among individuals and that P. howellii is genetically distinct from other Puccinellia species in the region (Davis 1993).

In "Puccinellia howellii (Poaceae), a new species from California" published in a 1990 issue of Madroño, Jerrold Davis described P. howellii as a new species. 

In 2007, David Cooper and Evan Wolf, with the Department of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, published a report, "A Restoration and Monitoring Plan for Puccinellia howellii, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, California". The report detailed the extent of P. howellii habitat loss, as well as plans for restoration and monitoring.

In 1995, Mary A. Bacca completed her PhD. thesis at Humboldt State University titled "Control Strategies to Inhibit Saltgrass (Distichlis Spicata) Encroachment Upon Howell's Alkali Grass (Puccinellia Howellii) at an Inland Mineralized Spring Area in Shasta County, California". 

Germination tests at the Berry Botanic Garden revealed high germination percentages under a variety of conditions. Seeds were either cold stratified for eight weeks or not stratified. They were then placed in either constant 68F (20C) or alternating 50/68F (10/20C) growth chambers. The only treatment not to show 100% germination was the ""no cold stratification followed by alternating temperatures,"" which yielded 83% germination (BBG File).

Greenhouse tests of germination and growth at different salinity levels demonstrated that germination is greatest in fresh water and is delayed as salinity increases (this reinforces observations that seeds germinate after fall rains when spring water is diluted). Growth is greatest at a moderate salinity level (Fulgham et al. 1997).

Seeds collected from each of three springs is stored at The Berry Botanic Garden.

The last seed collection stored at The Berry Botanic Garden is from 1992. All collections are bulk; there is no separation of maternal lines. (1 accession bulk from all 3 springs, 3 accessions-1 from each spring)..

Based on an September 2020 extract of the California Plant Rescue Database, Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank & Plant Conservation Program holds 2 accessions of Puccinellia howellii in orthodox seed collection. There are as many as 6810 seeds of this species in their collection - although some may have been used for curation testing or sent to back up.

Based on an August 2020 extract of the California Plant Rescue Database, Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank & Plant Conservation Program has collected 2 seed accessions of Puccinellia howellii from 1 plant occurrences listed in the California Natural Diversity Database. These collections together emcompass 4 maternal plants

Endemic to a series of salt springs near Whiskeytown, California, Puccinellia howellii is known from only one occurrence of several hundred plants (less than 2,000). It is threatened by highway runoff pollution, competition with Distichlis spicata, disturbance from the realignment of Highway 299, and dumping.

The only known population is located along a state highway. Small population size makes it susceptible to extinction due to random events. Invasion and exclusion by Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) (Bacca 1995). Saltgrass is present at all springs,

One Site/ One population/ three sub-populations, one at each spring. Total population estimated at several thousand in 1990 (S. Morey field survey in CA Natural Diversity Database). The total spring area is only 52,000 square ft, or about 1.2 acres. Spring #1 is (estimated) ~0.613 acre, spring #2 is ~0.526 and spring #3 is ~0.074 acre (Fulgham et al. 1997).

Extensive inventories of mineral springs in the region have yielded no other populations. Fifteen springs in the nearby area have been searched with negative results (Villa and Martz 1991). Genetic (isozyme) studies of P. howellii show a high degree of genetic diversity among individuals and that P. howellii is genetically distinct from other Puccinellia species in the region (Davis 1993). Investigation of control methods for saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), a potentially invasive species. Prescribed burning, clipping, and herbicide application (a glyphosate-based product, RODEO, the commercial version of ROUNDUP) were studied. For burn treatments, the entire plot was burned. For clip and herbicide treatments, only the area of the plot dominated by D. spicata was treated. Only application of RODEO was found to be effective. All other methods encouraged regrowth of the saltgrass. Several herbicide applications directly to the saltgrass may be necessary for effective treatment (Bacca 1995). Greenhouse tests of germination and growth at different salinity levels demonstrated that germination is greatest in fresh water and is delayed as salinity increases (this reinforces observations that seeds germinate after fall rains when spring water is diluted). Growth is greatest at a moderate salinity level (Fulgham et al. 1997). Determination of habitat requirements revealed that low magnesium, high winter salinity, and inundation by water characterizes the microhabitat of the species (Fulgham et al. 1997). Demographic studies: Reproductive output, seedling recruitment, seedling survival (Fulgham et al. 1997). Germination tests at the Berry Botanic Garden revealed high germination percentages under a variety of conditions. Seeds were either cold stratified for eight weeks or not stratified. They were then placed in either constant 68F (20C) or alternating 50/68F (10/20C) growth chambers. The only treatment not to show 100% germination was the ""no cold stratification followed by alternating temperatures,"" which yielded 83% germination (BBG File). Management Summary: The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) re-aligned the road running by the springs to increase safety. Work involved widening and straightening the road and the installation of guardrails. Retaining walls were erected to keep fill material from impacting much of the springs, but 1,200-sq. ft. of spring habitat was covered. Although the road re-alignment was not undertaken to benefit P. howellii, a decrease in the number of accidents and pollution and the elimination of vehicle access to the springs will benefit the species (Villa and Martz 1991). Restoration of 1,200-sq. ft. of a nearby spring to mitigate for area lost during road re-alignment (Fulgham et al. 1997). Puccinellia howellii seedlings and transplants grew well for the first two years. Saltgrass eventually invaded the disturbed areas and out competed the P. howellii (Stacey 2001). Spraying and removal of invading saltgrass. The area naturally re-seeded with P. howellii, and after one year, the area was nearly covered. Observations will be made on any subsequent invasion of saltgrass (Stacey 2001). Fences erected around clumps of P. howellii. Though only erected for a brief period of time, results showed that the grass is heavily impacted by grazing, presumably by deer (Fulgham et al. 1997) Seeds collected from each of three springs is stored at The Berry Botanic Garden.

The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) re-aligned the road running by the springs to increase safety. Work involved widening and straightening the road and the installation of guardrails. Retaining walls were erected to keep fill material from impacting much of the springs, but 1,200-sq. ft. of spring habitat was covered. Although the road re-alignment was not undertaken to benefit P. howellii, a decrease in the number of accidents and pollution and the elimination of vehicle access to the springs will benefit the species (Villa and Martz 1991). Restoration of 1,200-sq. ft. of a nearby spring to mitigate for area lost during road re-alignment (Fulgham et al. 1997). Puccinellia howellii seedlings and transplants grew well for the first two years. Saltgrass eventually invaded the disturbed areas and out competed the P. howellii (Stacey 2001). Spraying and removal of invading saltgrass. The area naturally re-seeded with P. howellii, and after one year, the area was nearly covered. Observations will be made on any subsequent invasion of saltgrass (Stacey 2001). Fences erected around clumps of P. howellii. Though only erected for a brief period of time, results showed that the grass is heavily impacted by grazing, presumably by deer (Fulgham et al. 1997) Seeds collected from each of three springs is stored at The Berry Botanic Garden.

Removal of Distichlis spicata (saltgrass), followed by re-seeding or transplanting of Puccinellia howellii (Bacca 1995). Study effect of flooding and inundation on D. spicata (Fulgham et al. 1997). Continued protection of site from disturbances. D. spicata is only invasive in areas of the spring that have been disturbed to some extent. Limit roadside application of herbicides

Determine long term viability of seeds and recollect as necessary. The last seed collection stored at The Berry Botanic Garden is from 1992. All collections are bulk; there is no separation of maternal lines. (1 accession bulk from all 3 springs, 3 accessions-1 from each spring). Long term seed storage.