Scientists Race to Save Liveforever Plant

In the hills above Silicon Valley, scientists are on a mission to protect the Santa Clara Valley Dudleya, a unique succulent found nowhere else. This plant, scientifically known as dudleya setchellii, can live for up to a century and thrives on prehistoric serpentinite rocks. Currently dormant, it will plump up after rainfall and bloom pale yellow flowers in spring, vital for pollinators like bumblebees.

The rare "liveforever" plant is under significant threat, with a recent increase in poaching reported. Scientists note that within the last five years, populations have dwindled due to the plant being stolen for private landscaping. Climate change and habitat loss also pose serious risks to its survival.

Conservation efforts are underway at Santa Clara University. Researchers are collecting seeds from dry stalks for future planting and are analyzing plant DNA to identify resilient specimens. Strategies include establishing new populations in greenhouses and outplanting them in the wild to bolster existing numbers. A former research director also preserved seeds and developed hybrids to deter poaching by flooding the market.

The scientific community urges the public to avoid poaching wild dudleya, emphasizing the damage to existing populations and the interconnected ecosystem. These dedicated efforts aim to prevent the extinction of this unique species and potentially improve its conservation status.