Dudleya cymosa ssp. ovatifolia

Kartesz (1994, 1999) and the California Natural Diversity Database (8/2000) consider D. cymosa ssp. agourensis distinct, whereas it is considered a synonym of ssp. ovatifolia by the USFWS (1997, 1999); Bartel in Hickman (1993); and the California Native Plant Society (1994). Dudleya cymosa ssp. ovatifolia is generally recognized, e.g., by Kartesz (1994 checklist, 1999 synthesis); new Jepson manual (Hickman 1993); McAuley (1985); and the USFWS (1997, 1999). LEM 23Dec99 and BMacB 26Sep2000.

Known from disjunct locations in the Santa Monica and Santa Ana mountains around the Los Angeles Basin in California, with fewer than 2000 individuals at 8 or fewer extant sites (including ssp. agourensis as a synonym). Populations are threatened by dense residential and commercial development, as well as recreational activities and road maintenance.

A total of 9 sites known historically or currently (9/99 Recovery Plan, which includes ssp. agourensis as "the Agoura form").

Since Dudleya cymosa ssp. ovatifolia mostly occurs on rocky outcrops with little vegetative cover, it is only slightly threatened at this time by roadside scraping for weed control, fire suppression activities (such as brush clearing), horticultural collection, grazing, nonnative insects (Argentine ants) and plants (USFWS 2009). While in the past populations had been lost to urban (residential and commercial) development, newer development seems to be more accommodating to this taxon, leaving its habitat zoned as open space and promising protection (USFWS 2009). Yet, secondary effects of urbanization, such as recreational activities (like rock climbing and hiking), are becoming a more prominent threat. Since most of the habitat exists on private land, direct and indirect impacts from current and future development is always a threat (USFWS 2009). Climate change is a possible threat, the extent of which is not yet known (USFWS 2009).