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. pulverulenta (Nutt.) Britton & Rose

Plant covered with dense, mealy powder to chalky wax
Stem: caudex simple
Leaf oblong to oblong-obovate
Inflorescence: 1° branches 3–10, simple or forked 1 X ; terminal branches twisted at base
Flower: sepals deltate-ovate; petals acute to obtuse
Chromosomes: n=17
Ecology: Rocky places
Elevation: < 1500 m.
Bioregional distribution: c&s Central Coast, Outer South Coast Ranges, South Coast, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, Desert Mountains
Distribution outside California: s Nevada, w Arizona, nw Mexico

Native

subsp. pulverulenta

Stem: caudex 4–9 cm wide
Leaves 40–60 per rosette, 8–25(27) cm, 3–10 cm wide, 3–10 mm thick, oblong; base 3–8 cm wide; tip acuminate to abruptly sharp
Inflorescence: peduncle 3–10 dm, 5–15 mm wide; terminal branches erect to spreading, 3–many, 10–40 cm, 10–30-flowered; pedicel 5–30(35) mm, in bud pendent, in fruit often sharply bent, erect
Flower: petals 11–19 mm, fused 6–10 mm, red, lobes 2–4 mm wide
Ecology: Rocky cliffs, canyons
Elevation: generally < 1000 m.
Bioregional distribution: c&s Central Coast, Outer South Coast Ranges, South Coast, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges
Distribution outside California: n Baja California
Horticultural information: DRN, DRY: 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 &SHD or IRR: 14, 18, 19, 20, 21.