Dudleya gatesii
Dudleya gatesii, known by the common name as Gates' liveforever, is a species of perennial succulent plant in the family Crassulaceae. It is native to the central desert of the Baja California peninsula, found growing along dry and rocky outcroppings. It is characterized by red inflorescences topped with white flowers, bracts that are often reflexed downwards, and a rosette of dark-green leaves turning reddish.
| Dudleya gatesii | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The flowers | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Crassulaceae |
| Genus: | Dudleya |
| Species: | D. gatesii |
| Binomial name | |
| Dudleya gatesii D. A. Johansen, 1932 | |
Description
Dudleya gatesii has a short, stout caudex, with either 1 to 3 rosettes emerging. The leaves are long-lanceolate, wide, and flat, with green or red colorations on older and weathered leaves. Leaves are 8 to 13 cm long. Up to 3 red flowering stalks arise from the axils between younger and older leaves. Racemes are secund, and the inflorescence bears a deep red coloration. The calyx is a bright green. The corolla is 11 to 12 mm long, pure white, and weakly keeled.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Dudleya gatesii is native to the central portion of the Baja California Peninsula, from the vicinity of El Desengaño in Baja California State to the Sierra de San Francisco in Baja California Sur.[2]
Dudleya gatesii grows along dry and rocky outcroppings, being easily distinguishable by the white flowers and red stalks.[1]
Etymology
Dudleya gatesii (Gates' liveforever) is named after Howard E. Gates, in honor of his exploratory and collection efforts for the Dudleya genus in Baja California.[1]
References
- Johansen, Donald A. (1932). "Contributions Toward a Monograph of the Genus Dudleya - III - Dudleya gatesii sp. nov". Cactus & Succulent Journal of America – via crassulaceae.com.
- P. Rebman, Jon; Gibson, Judy; Rich, Karen (15 November 2016). "ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF THE VASCULAR PLANTS OF BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO" (PDF). Proceedings of the San Diego Society of Natural History. San Diego Natural History Museum. 45 – via San Diego Plant Atlas & San Diego Natural History Museum.