Canyon LiveForever

Description:

This extraordinary flower is found on long inflorescences emanating from a small grey-green succulent. It looks like a flower you might see on an alien planet. It is also called Canyon Dudleya or Rock Lettuce and is both Native and Endemic to California, found nowhere else in the world. There are several subspecies which are rare and at least two which are listed as endangered. I feel honored to have seen it in bloom in the wild. The plant itself was under and covered by the spiky agave plant in the picture. See the references for pictures. Family Crassulaceae.

Habitat:

Dry rocky area known as "Lizard's Mouth" above Santa Barbara, California. (See last picture). 862 meters.