Dudleya gnoma
Encyclopedia
Dudleya gnoma is a rare species of succulent plant
in the stonecrop family
known by the common names munchkin liveforever and munchkin dudleya. It is endemic to Santa Rosa Island
, one of the Channel Islands of California
, where it is known from one single population containing about 3200 plants. The population was discovered in the 1950s and assumed to be a relative of Dudleya greenei
, a plant also occurring on the island which is similar but larger and contains the same number of chromosome
s. The plant was not described to science until 1997. The population is protected from nearby grazing cattle
by a fence. It still faces threats from deer
, which can get past the fence, a limited gene pool
, and the fact that a single severe event such as a drought
, could eliminate the single population. Though rare in the wild, this dudleya is kept in cultivation by gardeners and enthusiasts of succulents, and a cultivar
called 'White Sprite' is popular.
This is a compact plant growing from a caudex
topped with clumps of leaf rosettes each measuring up to 5 centimeters wide and containing up to 20 small leaves. The fleshy triangular leaves are green, red-tinged, or white with waxy, powdery coating of exudate. Each leaf is up to about 2 centimeters long by 1 wide. The plant produces an inflorescence
up to about 13 centimeters tall and studded with small triangular leaves. It bears up to 10 flowers, each less than a centimeter long and containing yellow petals.
Succulent plant
Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, are water-retaining plants adapted to arid climates or soil conditions. Succulent plants store water in their leaves, stems, and also in roots...
in the stonecrop family
Crassulaceae
Crassulaceae, or the orpine family, are a family of dicotyledons. They store water in their succulent leaves. They are found worldwide, but mostly occur in the Northern Hemisphere and southern Africa, typically in dry and/or cold areas where water may be scarce...
known by the common names munchkin liveforever and munchkin dudleya. It is endemic to Santa Rosa Island
Santa Rosa Island, California
Santa Rosa Island is the second largest of the Channel Islands of California at 53,195 acres . Defined by the United States Census Bureau as Block 3009, Block Group 3, Census Tract 29.10 of Santa Barbara County, California, the 2000 census showed an official population of 2 persons. It is part of...
, one of the Channel Islands of California
Channel Islands of California
The Channel Islands of California are a chain of eight islands located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California along the Santa Barbara Channel in the United States of America...
, where it is known from one single population containing about 3200 plants. The population was discovered in the 1950s and assumed to be a relative of Dudleya greenei
Dudleya greenei
Dudleya greenei is a rare succulent plant known by the common name Greene's liveforever, or Greene's dudleya. It is endemic to the Channel Islands of California, where it grows along the cliffs of four of the eight islands.-Description:...
, a plant also occurring on the island which is similar but larger and contains the same number of chromosome
Chromosome
A chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and protein found in cells. It is a single piece of coiled DNA containing many genes, regulatory elements and other nucleotide sequences. Chromosomes also contain DNA-bound proteins, which serve to package the DNA and control its functions.Chromosomes...
s. The plant was not described to science until 1997. The population is protected from nearby grazing cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
by a fence. It still faces threats from deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, which can get past the fence, a limited gene pool
Gene pool
In population genetics, a gene pool is the complete set of unique alleles in a species or population.- Description :A large gene pool indicates extensive genetic diversity, which is associated with robust populations that can survive bouts of intense selection...
, and the fact that a single severe event such as a drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
, could eliminate the single population. Though rare in the wild, this dudleya is kept in cultivation by gardeners and enthusiasts of succulents, and a cultivar
Cultivar
A cultivar'Cultivar has two meanings as explained under Formal definition. When used in reference to a taxon, the word does not apply to an individual plant but to all those plants sharing the unique characteristics that define the cultivar. is a plant or group of plants selected for desirable...
called 'White Sprite' is popular.
This is a compact plant growing from a caudex
Caudex
A caudex is a form of stem morphology appearing as a thickened, short, perennial stem that is either underground or near ground level . It may be swollen for the purpose of water storage, especially in xerophytes...
topped with clumps of leaf rosettes each measuring up to 5 centimeters wide and containing up to 20 small leaves. The fleshy triangular leaves are green, red-tinged, or white with waxy, powdery coating of exudate. Each leaf is up to about 2 centimeters long by 1 wide. The plant produces an inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
up to about 13 centimeters tall and studded with small triangular leaves. It bears up to 10 flowers, each less than a centimeter long and containing yellow petals.