Native Plants
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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
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall when flowering, often shorter.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: RedBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , NV , UTNative 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 ShadeSoil 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. PlantsSeed Treatment: No pretreatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Bibliography
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. WasowskiSearch 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 PlantsFNA: Find Dudleya pulverulenta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dudleya pulverulenta
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-07Research By: TWC Staff