Kingdom Plantae Family Crassulaceae Scientific name Dudleya edulis Rank Species | Order Saxifragales Genus Dudleya Higher classification Dudleya | |
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Similar Dudleya, Dudleya caespitosa, Dudleya cymosa, Dudleya anthonyi, Dudleya pulverulenta | ||
Dudleya edulis is a succulent plant known by the common name fingertips.
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Distribution
The plant is endemic to chaparral habitats, and is native to southwestern Southern California and slightly into northwestern Baja California.
It grows in rocky slopes and soil, and on rock outcrops and ledges, from sea level to below 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) in elevation. It is native from the coast into the Peninsular Ranges, including the Santa Ana Mountains and Cuyamaca Mountains, and on San Clemente Island.
It is found in coastal sage scrub and chaparral and woodlands habitats.
Description
Dudleya edulis is made up of an array of fleshy, finger-like leaves growing vertically from a caudex at or just below ground level. The fingerlike leaves are pale green, cylindrical and pointed, growing up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) tall.
It bears a branching inflorescence 10–50 centimetres (3.9–19.7 in) tall, with several terminal branches each bearing up to 10 or 11 flowers. The flowers have pointed white to cream petals about a centimeter long. The bloom period is May to July.
It is known to naturally hybridize with Dudleya stolonifera and Dudleya blochmaniae where their ranges overlap.
Cultivation
Dudleya edulis is cultivated as an ornamental plant, planted in native plant and wildlife gardens, drought tolerant rock gardens, and as specimens in pots.