Protect California Dudleya

What exactly is a Dudleya?

Dudleya is a genus of succulent plants in southwestern North America that includes 47 species and 21 subspecies.

• 26 species of those species are native to California and grow along coastal cliffs
• More than half of California’s species are ranked as rare
• 10 of California’s Dudleya are classified as threatened or endangered under the Federal and/or California Endangered Species Acts.

What you should know

People often associate poaching with white rhinos and shark fins, but plant poaching is a serious problem that puts dozens of species at risk every year. Succulents like Dudleya, orchids, cacti, and carnivorous plants are regularly stolen from wildlands and sold on the black market. In some cases, 100-year-old Dudleya have been uprooted from California cliffs and sold for thousands of dollars only to die within a year.

Why Assembly Bill 223?

AB 223 gives law enforcement officials and district attorneys the tools necessary for prosecution and enforces penalties that are large enough to deter Dudleya poachers. The bill makes it explicitly unlawful to steal and sell Dudleya taken from state, local, or private lands, and establishes strong penalties for violations.