Rock liveforever

Description

Dudleya ingens is a species of perennial succulent plant in the family Crassulaceae commonly known as the rock liveforever or Baja liveforever. A relatively large member of the genus Dudleya, this species has long green succulent leaves, and in April to June is characterized by pale yellow to white pink-tinged flowers topping tall, reddish inflorescences. It has a stem clothed densely with old, leathery leaves, and the inflorescence may be nodding, with the floral branches bearing the flowers tending to unfurl like the fronds of a fern. It is similar in appear to Dudleya brittonii, but differs in range and chromosome number.This species is endemic to the state of Baja California in Mexico, being found from Santo Tomás to the southern coast of the state. As a member of the subgenus Dudleya, this species has a basal rosette with evergreen leaves and a flower with tight petals that form a tube. The stem (referred to as a caudex) is densely clothed with old leathery leaves, branching rarely. On top of the caudex is a rosette containing the vegetative leaves. There are up to 70 leaves, which are green or slightly glaucous. The floral stem is reddish and tall, with up to 30 bracts. The inflorescence is nodding in immaturity, and has terminal branches that may unfurl like a fern. The terminal branches have up to 20 flowers. The flowers have petals that are colored a pale yellow to white. The caudex on this species ranges from 1.5 to 6 cm (0.59 to 2.36 in) thick, and may be short or elongating to up to 40 cm (16 in), unbranched or only branching a few times. The rosettes are 5 to 40 cm (2.0 to 15.7 in) in diameter, containing 20–70 leaves. The leaves are green or have a slightly glaucous surface texture. The leaves are shaped oblong, tapering from the base or somewhat broadened in the upper third, 7 to 25 cm (2.8 to 9.8 in) long, 1 to 5.5 cm (0.39 to 2.17 in) wide, 3 to 11 mm (0.12 to 0.43 in) thick, with the margins acute towards the base, the base of the leaf 1.5 to 6 cm (0.59 to 2.36 in) wide and 1 to 3 mm (0.039 to 0.118 in) high. The old leaves when dry are thick and leathery, densely clothing the caudex.