Chalk Dudleya
Dudleya pulverulenta

Physical Description

• A round succulent plant covered in chalky, powdery wax.
• A rosette of flat, wide, fleshy leaves.
• Leaves are pale green when new and age to a pinkish, papery texture.
• Flowers are on tall stems and are tubular orange, pink, and red blooms.
• Can grow to one foot wide and up to one foot tall.

Range

• San Luis Obispo to northern Baja California, Mexico.

Habitat

• Found in rocky areas in coastal and inland mountains.
• Found in desert foothills.
• Prefer to grow on a slope.

Reproduction

• Flowers in the spring and summer.
• Pollination primarily by hummingbirds and bumblebees.

Diet

• Like all plants, it gets its energy from the sun through photosynthesis.

Predators

• Moths, butterflies, bumblebees, and hummingbirds eat its pollen.
• Rabbits and deer will eat the leaves.
• Kumeyaay Native Americans used it as both food and medicine.

Interesting Facts

• It is also called chalk lettuce and chalk liveforever..

Sources: California Native Plant Society; University of San Diego; San Marcos Growers; Clearwater Color Nursery

Photo: Beth Besom

See the chalk dudleya and other native plants in the Native Plant Garden at Living Coast Discovery Center.