Dudleya
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Dudleya".

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Short-leaved Dudleya
Short-Leaved Dudleya at Carmel Mountain, San Diego
Short-Leaved Dudleya at Carmel Mountain, San Diego
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Dudleya
Britton & Rose
Species

Numerous, see text.

Dudleya is a genus of succulent perennials, consisting of about 45 species in southwest North America.

The fleshy and glabrous leaves occur in basal rosettes, in colors generally ranging from green to gray. The inflorescences are on vertical or inclined stems up to a meter high, but usually much shorter, topped by a cyme with alternate leaf-like bracts. Both the petal and sepals of the small flowers are five in number and fused below. Five pistils, also fused below, have 10 stamens arranged around them.

Dudleya species are widespread in their range, typically found in rock outcroppings, cliff faces, or road cuts, where their leaves help them store water in a setting too dry for most types of plants. Most are small and inconspicuous when not in bloom.

The genus is named after William Russell Dudley, the first head of the botany department at Stanford University.

In horticulture, Dudleya should be planted at an angle. This prevents the buildup of water in the leaves, which may lead to the leaves rotting.

Selected species

Munchkin dudleyaDudleya gnoma
Munchkin dudleya
Dudleya gnoma

References

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