Dudleya edulis


Dudleya edulis is a succulent plant known by the common name fingertips.

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 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 tall.
It bears a branching inflorescence 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.