CRASSULACEAE

STONECROP FAMILY

Annual to subshrubs, fleshy
Leaves generally simple, generally basal and cauline, alternate or opposite, generally reduced upward
Inflorescence: generally cyme, generally bracted
Flower: sepals generally 3–5, generally ± free; petals generally 3–5, ± free or fused; stamens = to >> sepals, free or epipetalous; pistils generally 3–5, simple (sometimes fused at base), ovary 1-chambered, placenta 1, parietal, ovules 1–many, style 1
Fruit: follicles generally 3–5
Seeds 1–many, small
Genera in family: ± 30 genera, ± 1500 species: ± worldwide, especially dry temp; many cultivated for ornamental. Family description and generic key by Melinda F. Denton and Reid Moran.

DUDLEYA

Jim A. Bartel

Perennial, fleshy, glabrous
Stem generally caudex or corm-like, generally vertical, branched or not, generally covered with dried leaves or leaf bases
Leaves in basal rosettes, evergreen vernal and ephemeral
Inflorescence: cyme, axillary, 1-sided; bracts leaf-like, alternate
Flower: sepals 5, fused below; petals 5, fused at base, erect to spreading above; stamens 10, epipetalous; pistils 5, ± fused below
Fruit: follicles 5, erect to spreading, many-seeded
Seed < 1 mm, narrowly ovoid, brown, striate
Species in genus: ± 45 species: sw North America
Etymology: (W.R. Dudley, western US botanist, 1849–1911)
Reference: [Moran in Jacobsen 1960 Handb Succ Plant:344–359]
Unopened follicles generally most reliable for posture (erect, spreading, etc.).

Native

D. hassei (Rose) Moran

Stem: caudex 1–3 cm wide, many-branched
Leaf 3–10 cm, 5–15 mm wide, 2–4 mm thick, linear-lanceolate, ± covered with mealy powder; base 8–15 mm wide; tip obtuse
Inflorescence: 1° branches 2–4, simple or forked 1 X ; peduncle 1–3 dm, 1.5–4 mm wide; terminal branches 2–8 cm, 4–14-flowered; pedicel 1–5 mm
Flower: sepals 2–3 mm, deltate-ovate; petals 8–10 mm, fused 1.5–2 mm, spreading from middle, white
Chromosomes: n=34
Ecology: Rocks, cliffs
Elevation: < 400 m.
Bioregional distribution: s Channel Islands (Santa Catalina Island)
Horticultural information: 15, 16, 17, 24 SHD: 22, 23 &IRR: 14, 20, 21; GRCVR.