Dudleya variegata

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Dudleya variegata

Imperiled (NatureServe)
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Dudleya
Species:
D. variegata
Binomial name
Dudleya variegata
(S.Wats.) Moran

Dudleya variegata is a succulent plant known by the common name variegated liveforever or variegated dudleya. It is native to Baja California and adjacent San Diego County in California, where it grows in several habitat types, including chaparral and vernal pools.

Description[]

Dudleya variegata is a fleshy perennial forming a small basal cluster of leaves around a small stem. The thick leaves are spoon-shaped to oblong to spherical or globular. There are 4 to 12 leaves, 1 to 7 cm long. The inflorescence is a mostly erect, branching stem up to 20 centimeters tall splitting into 2 to 3 branches nearly as long. Each branch bears several flowers with fleshy triangular sepals and longer yellow petals. The plant is unusual among the majority of Dudleya in that it is summer deciduous, a trait shared only by a few other members. The plant flowers from April through June.[1]

Taxonomy[]

Phylogeny[]

Dudleya variegata was previously grouped into the subgenus Hasseanthus, which was characterized by a diminutive size, deciduous leaves and underground corms.[2][3]

However, recent phylogenetic analysis has placed D. variegata in the Blochmaniae clade of Dudleya, which includes the majority of Hasseanthus albeit with the exception of D. multicaulis and the inclusion of D. verityi.[4]

Distribution and habitat[]

Endemic to an area roughly 80 km long, from San Diego County down into northwestern Baja California, much of it developed. It is typically found on dry hillsides and mesas, in coastal plains, often in heavy clay soil or at the edge of salt marshes.[1][5]

Conservation[]

The variegated liveforever is threatened primarily by development, grazing, and invasive species. Recreational activity is also detrimental to the species.[6][7]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b McCabe, Stephen Ward (2012). "Dudleya variegata". Jepson eFlora. Jepson Flora Project. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  2. ^ Britton, N. L.; Rose, J. N. (1903). "Hasseanthus, gen. nov". Bulletin of the New York Botanical Garden. 3(9): 37.
  3. ^ Moran, R. (1953). "Hasseanthus, a Subgenus of Dudleya". Leaflets of Western Botany. 7(4): 110.
  4. ^ Yost, J. M.; Bontrager, M.; McCabe, S. W.; Burton, D.; Simpson, M. G.; Kay, K. M.; Ritter, M. (2013). "Phylogenetic relationships and evolution in Dudleya (Crassulaceae)" (PDF). Systematic Botany. 38(4): 1096–1104.
  5. ^ "Dudleya variegata". Flora of North America. 8: 176, 181, 192, 193 – via eFloras.org.
  6. ^ CNPS, Rare Plant Program. 2016. Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants (online edition, v8-02). California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. [1]
  7. ^ Martin, J. 2005. “Variegated Dudleya ( Dudleya Variegata ) on San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.” San Diego, CA.

External links[]


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