San Diego State University researchers have named a newly-discovered, rare succulent after a Hall of Fame rock icon.
Recon Environmental senior biologist and SDSU alum Mark Dodero discovered an endangered species of succulent on the Colonet Peninsula of Baja California, Mexico, while he was a graduate student.
As a team of researchers including SDSU plant biologist Michael Simpson were tasked with giving the plant a name, they thought back to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer playing in Dodero’s ears as he stumbled upon the thin, stalky, inches-tall plant with pink and white flowers.
The inspiration behind Dudleya Hendrixii was, of course, legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix and his classic “Voodoo Child”.
Dudleya Hendrixii, or “Hendrix’s liveforever”, is found only on the Colonet Peninsula and a major ship port planned for the area threatens to wipe out the specie’s already scarce existence.
The succulent isn’t technically endangered because Mexico uses different criteria, but it would be considered endangered under American standards, according to Dodero.
The authors of the study published in the journal Madroño are hoping that Mexican officials and conservation groups can protect its habitat which is already threatened by grazing, farming and off-road vehicle traffic.
