many-stemmed dudleya

Dudleya multicaulis is thought to represent the most basal member of the Dudleya subgenus Hasseanthus, which are characterized by paedomorphic adaptations including vernal foliage and an underground, tuberous caudex also seen in Dudleya seedlings. The caudex has been reduced to a subterranean structure roughly equivalent to a corm. The corm has an oblong shape, and measures 1.5–5 cm (0.59–1.97 in) long by 3–18 mm (0.12–0.71 in) wide. The leaves are arranged in 1 to 4 rosettes which are 2–6 cm (0.79–2.36 in) wide. The 5 to 15 green leaves are summer deciduous, with their surfaces not or somewhat glaucous. The leaves are shaped cylindric and linear except at the base, with the bases flushing with purple-red when the leaves are detached or damaged at that point. The leaves measure 4–15 cm (1.6–5.9 in) long by 2–6 mm (0.079–0.236 in) wide, with the base 4–10 mm (0.16–0.39 in) wide, and the tip of the leaf sharply acute. The inflorescence is on a peduncle 4–23 cm (1.6–9.1 in) high and 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) wide. There are 7 to 18 strongly ascending bracts, with a similar linear shape to the rosette leaves. The inflorescence may first branch 2 or more times, and then subsequently rebranch 0 to 1 more times. …

Dudleya multicaulis is endemic to the Los Angeles coastal plain and the adjacent hills, parts of the Transverse and Peninsular ranges, and south towards northern San Diego County. It is distributed in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego counties, and historically, San Bernardino County. There are 31 extant occurrences of this species, 41 occurrences of unknown status, and at least 31 or more extirpated occurrences. D. multicaulis is primarily found on heavy soils, usually clay, rocky hillsides, and sandstone outcrops. Because of the urbanization of habitat, the species is declining.