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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Dudleya pulverulenta (Chalk dudleya)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Dudleya pulverulenta

Dudleya pulverulenta (Nutt.) Britton & Rose

Chalk Dudleya, Chalk Live-forever, Chalk Lettuce, Conchita

Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: DUPU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

An evergreen leaf succulent, closely related to the Mexican hens-and-chicks. Rootstocks penetrate rock crevices and bear 2 ft. wide rosettes of broad, fleshy, chalky-white leaves. Borne from leaf axils, the usually 1-3 ft. flower stalks bear candelabra-like clusters of small, red flowers.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall when flowering, often shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NV , UT
Native Distribution: S. coastal CA and Baja California; also reported in Washington Co., UT
Native Habitat: Rocky cliffs & canyons below 3000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky soil.
Conditions Comments: The compact, mat-forming growth habit of snake herb makes it an ideal ground cover. The characteristic heat and drought tolerance also help snake herb to be a winner. It creates a lovely scene, mounding over the edge of a pot or a hanging basket. This plant does not tolerate hot, droughty, summer exposures. Does require occasional summer water.

Propagation

Description: Propagate with stem cuttings, divisions, or seed. The seed, however, is very fine and difficult. Dust thinly over soil on top of a layer of sphagnum and cover with glass until seeds sprout. Move to larger containers when plants are big enough. Plants
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Dudleya pulverulenta in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Dudleya pulverulenta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dudleya pulverulenta

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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