Dudleya pulverulenta (Chalk Dudleya or Liveforever)

Photographs

My photos:

This photo was taken in Caspers Wilderness Park, Orange County, California. Note the spent flower stalks.

The young plants below were growing at Torrey Pines.

Blooming D. pulverulenta at Holy Jim Canyon.

More photos:

Calflora closeups of flowers.
DudleyasAmSW a beautiful specimen getting ready to flower.

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Crassulaceae

In the garden:

Dudleya pulverulenta is completely covered with a mealy white powder - hence "pulverulenta" or "powdery." The leaf color is silver-green and may be tinged with red when grown in full sun. Leaves are arranged in the form of a rosette and arise from a central caudex. Deep red flowers appear from May to July. It prefers full sun and is very drought resistant. It is useful in containers, rock gardens, and for a low border. It is also at home on a rock wall (either on it’s top or on it’s face). This plant does not die after flowering.

In the wild:

Dudleya pulverulenta grows on rocky cliffs and canyons, mostly below 3000 feet. It wants to grow on a slant, which allows water to drain.

Ethnobotany:

Native people used the raw leaves as greens and in a poultice to treat corns and calluses. A decoction of the root was used for asthma.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

Index
Home