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Dudleyas - Notes
- 1. 1/6/2013
Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Delightful Dudleyas
C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve
Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants March 3 & 6, 2012
Project SOUND – 2012 (our 8th year)
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
The Live-forevers: genus Dudleya
We already know that California (and Baja
California) plants are special… Named for William Russel Dudley (1849-
1911), first professor of botany and head
of the Botany Department at Stanford
Our Mediterranean climate requires that University
plants adapt to summer drought.
~ 40 species; native to the arid western
One common adaptations is succulence. United States (in particular, Southwest/
Modified tissues store large amounts of Northern California and Oregon), Baja
water, making the plant part appear California.
fleshy, succulent, or swollen.
Very similar in appearance to other
Species in various plant families and Stonecrops (sempervivum; sedum;
genera have independently evolved echeveria).
succulence as a mechanism for conserving http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Rus
water and survival in arid environments. Often grow in stone crevasses or sand
sell_Dudley_(1849-1911).jpg
dunes with little or no organic soil.
There are an estimated 10,000 succulent
plant species throughout the world Long-lived (to 100+ years for some
species) hence the common name
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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The Stonecrop Family: Crassulaceae
Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM)
~ 1500 species
Most genera exhibit some leaf succulence Found in 3-4% of plant species;
Many species are used widely as garden and at least 26 angiosperm families
house plants Examples:
Nearly all are “succulents”
The genus Crassula includes the well-known Jade (thick, fleshy leaves and
Plants and other small sub-shrubs, choice
http://www.southampton.bcss.org.uk/images/image145.jpg
minatures and mat-forming plants. stems)
Echeverias
Cotyledon includes interesting shrubby species Nearly all are from deserts or
with succulent stems and leaves. Some species
have showy tubular yellow, orange or red flowers. other hot-summer areas
Echeverias are often used in rock gardens and Is an extremely important
indoor plants.
water-conservation strategy
Kalanchoe includes plants with showy flowers.
for plants in hot, dry climates
Sedums are well known for hardy mat-forming
Stonecrops which provides useful flower color in
the garden in late summer and early autumn.
Kalanchoe http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2006/02/sedum_spathulifolium.php © Project SOUND
Gases and water vapor enter and exit
All plants have the ability to convert
plants through stomata
carbon dioxide to sugars, using
energy from the sun
The process of photosythesis
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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CAM - observations CAM plants like Dudleyas are adapted to
hot, dry climates
Stomates - open at
night; closed during Dudleyas only open their stomata at night to take up
carbon dioxide. They keep their stomata closed during
day (inverted stomatal the hot days, allowing the plant to conserve tremendous
cycle) amounts of water
The plant assimilates the carbon dioxide at night and
CO2 uptake – high at converts it to a variety of organic acids. In the
night; low during day morning when the stomata close, the organic acids break
down and carbon dioxide is released.
Acid content of cells – With the energy of the new days sun light, the plant
converts the carbon dioxide it has been accumulating
highest at dawn; lowest all night into sugars.
at dusk
Before being permanent CAM photosynthesizers, CAMs
were probably started intermittently switching to CAM
Conclusion: CAM plants photosynthesis during times of drought and low
store Carbon as an acid rainfall. Eventually those species evolved into species
that solely depended on CAM photosynthesis
at night
© Project SOUND
In terms of their garden potential, you can
Dudleyas can be used in several ways in
think of Dudleyas as belonging to one of
the home garden
three categories
The Dudleya divas
Often larger in size
Showy (exuberant) flowers
Very attractive foliage
The groundcover Dudleyas
Medium to small size
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2318/
Readily spread, forming a mat
The ‘Pretty in a Pot’ Dudleyas
Medium to small size
Unique flowers or foliage
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
3
- 4. 1/6/2013
Dudleya divas – showy accent plants Chalk Dudleya – Dudleya pulverulenta ssp. pulverulenta
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Dudleya_pulverulenta.htm
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Dudleya_pulverulenta.htm
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
Chalk Dudleya is very Echeveria-like
Chalk Dudleya – Dudleya pulverulenta ssp. pulverulenta
Size:
1-2 ft tall
Coastal regions from
1-2 ft wide (flower stalks wider)
San Luis Obispo south
into Baja Growth form:
Evergreen succulent
Locally in Santa Monica Becomes somewhat dry in
Mtns., western San summer
Gabriels
Foliage:
Rocky cliffs and Leaves flat, end in sharp tips
canyons below 3000 completely covered with a mealy
feet white powder - hence
"pulverulenta" or "powdery."
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3284,3295,3327,3329
Coastal sage scrub, Stem (caudex) becomes
chaparral thickened with age – more so
than other species
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DUPU
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/plant_display.asp?prodid=1536&account=none
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Taxonomic confusion: is that an Dudleya flowers are slightly different
Echeveria or a Dudleya?
http://www.collectorscorner.com.au/Cacti/Echeveri
a%20main.htm
Echeveria Dudleya
Quite similar-looking; but with a few important differences
Dudleya flowers arise from somewhere near the bottom of
Several local species were formerly included in Echeveria: the rosettes normally (rarely from the rosette center as
Canyon Live-forever – Dudleya cymosa most Echeveria flowers do).
Chalk Dudleya – Dudleya pulverulenta
Ladyfinger Dudleya – Dudleya edulis Dudleyas & Echeverias do not form hybrids between the 2
genera; Dudleyas only interbreed with other Dudleyas
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
So…it’s recommended to NOT combine both in
But the real difference – and the most important for
the same part of the garden
gardeners – relates to their history
Summer watering of Dudleyas
Dudleyas should be very occasional: they are
Native to the ‘Pacific Plate’
Adapted to rainy winters & hot, dry
very summer ‘water-wise’ compared
summers to Echeverias
Winter-growing; summer dormant
Can kill them with too much summer Most Dudleyas & Echeverias do best in
water well-drained soils; gravelly/sandy
Echeverias The roots of some Dudleya species do
Dudleya virens ssp hassei
Native to the ‘North American Plate’ not absorb moisture well in the high
Adapted to rainy summers & dry winters heat; water simply rots the roots
Summer growing; winter dormant
Can kill them with too much winter
(susceptible to root rot fungi).
water
Treat as Zone 1-2 (water only several
times a summer & not at summer’s end)
The two genera have been separated for long
enough that each is very well adapted to its Dudleyas in very well-drained soils
own environment (sandy) or in pots should be treated as
© Project SOUND http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.as
Zone 2 © Project SOUND
p?plant_id=538
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Dudleyas can also rot from the Give them what
crown or leaves, particularly if
water is left sitting on the delicate they like…
leaves (some are more sensitive
than others). Plant them in/near rocks
Naturally occurring
Dudleya virens ssp hassei Either avoid getting water on the http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/241664905/
Local boulders brought in to
leaves, or plant them at an angle so the Dudleya pulverulenta
add interest
water runs off.
Plant them on slopes – or
In nature, many species grow naturally plant the rosette at an angle
on cliff faces and steep slopes so rather than horizontal
water cannot sit on these plants.
Water only occasionally
Excess water also attracts snails and during summer – Zone 1-2
slugs – which love Dudleyas about right
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.as
p?plant_id=538 No overhead water in
summer
Bottom line: best to not combine Dudleyas with succulents that have http://www.flickr.com/photos/93452909@N00/191287029/
very different water requirements (Echeverias; Sedums; etc.) SOUND
© Project D. virens ssp. hassei © Project SOUND
Flowers are like no
Be creative with rocks
others: dramatic!
& Dudleyas
Blooms: spring/early
summer; typical for Sometimes man-made stone
Dudleyas structures are perfect places
Flowers: for Dudleyas
On long flowering stalks –
plan accordingly
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/2606066487_0aaaf1ed09.jpg?v=0
http://img4.sunset.com/i/2009/04/dream-gardens-stone-seat-l.jpg
Note hummingbird-plant
features:
Red color;
Shape;
Flowers held away from
plant to allow access
Heavy duty, sweet
nectar
http://www.laspilitas.com/garden/Anna%27s_Hummingbird_on_chalk_dudlea.jpg
http://www.marrsandersen.com/California-plants/California-
http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/dudleyc5.htm © Project SOUND plants-Pages/Image28.html © Project SOUND
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/241665013/in/photostream/
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* Silver Dollar Plant - Dudleya brittonii Silver Dollar Plant - Dudleya brittonii
Native coastal areas of the
Pacific side of Baja California
between Tijuana & Ensenada
and on Isla Todos Santos
On cliffs and hilly areas in
lava rock and other very
porous soils.
http://home.comcast.net/~ldecola/baja/
http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=1509
© Project SOUND http://www.yacht-transport.com/page/autumn2009/Oregon.html
© Project SOUND
Silver Dollar Dudleya –
Nathaniel Lord Britton a larger dudleya
Size:
1+ ft tall
the specific epithet honors 1-2 ft wide
Nathaniel Lord Britton
(1859-1934), botanist and http://www.bambooandmore.info/2011_10_02_archive.html
Growth form:
first Director of the New Basal rosette – stem (caudex) is very
http://www.baynatives.com/plants/Dudleya-brittonii/
York Botanical Garden. Dr. short, so leaves are bunched up
Britton is also famous for 40 to 100 leaves, each up to 10
his collaboration with inches long
Joseph Nelson Rose of the Often solitary – not spreading
Carnegie Institute on The Moderate lifespan – 30+ years
http://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/~alroy/lef
a/Britton.html
Cactaceae, a four-volume
work started in 1906 and Foliage:
published in 1924. Green or (more commonly in trade)
very blue-white
Leaves flattened
http://sabrinacampagna.tumblr.com/post/2675832454/the-cactaceae-vol-4-descriptions-and © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.soenyun.com/Blog/2010/10/18/my-new-natives/
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Why are some Dudleyas so white? Flowers are fantastic
Why? Blooms: in spring – usually
Apr-June in our area
Protection against sun damage
Water conservation Flowers:
Pale yellow
How?
Stout flowering stem and
Leaves are covered with a dusty, bracts are pastel pink
http://www.arthurleej.com/p-o-m-Jan11.html
chalky, mealy white epicuticular (worthy of a diva); beautiful
“wax”. contrast with foliage
The wax in its mealy state on the Attract hummingbirds
leaves is attracted to water and
coats drops on the leaves and Seeds:
prevents their evaporation. Dry capsules split open when
seeds are ripe
The wax has the highest
Seeds are tiny, many
measured ultraviolet reflectivity
of any plant. http://www.xericworld.com/forums/members/kelly-griffin-albums-dudleya-picture1145-dudleya-
http://image54.webshots.com/154/5/90/28/539959028nsjBLY_fs.jpg brittonii-la-mission.html
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.succulent-plant.com/families/crassulaceae/dudleya.html
Soils: Give the diva a proper stage!
Plant Requirements Texture: well-drained
pH: any local In a Baja-themed garden,
with it’s natural associates
Light:
Afternoon shade In a rock or gravel garden –
Dappled shade be sure to consider contrasts
Water: Often grown as a specimen
Winter: needs normal amount plant in a large container
Summer: best with
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/amarguy/3949915856/
infrequent summer water –
Zone 1-2; no overhead water
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
Other:
http://www.scientificlib.com/en/Biology/Plants/Magnoliophyta/DudleyaBrittonii01.html
tolerates garden conditions
better than the similar looking
Dudleya pulverulenta
http://www.hotgardens.net/cactus%20and%20succulents%20at%20huntington%20desert%20ga
© Project SOUND rden.htm © Project SOUND
http://www.faroutflora.com/2011/01/08/dudleyas-dudleyas-dudleyas/
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Use contrast to show divas in their best light
Designing with diva dudleyas
http://www.plantscomprehensive.com/dudleya-brittonii
http://www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org/node/368
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gXhU4_V-Hhg78Lwpg9OOZQ
Accent plants whether
alone or interplanted
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iiUK9e2RW16pM8msvsmB4g
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.hotgardens.net/succulent_cactus_gallery.htm
Many Dudleyas are long-lived Dudleya ‘Palos Verdes’ – a lucky accident
Probably hybrid : D.
pulverulenta X D. brittonii
Good characteristics of
both parents
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3232
http://www.flickr.com/photos/morabeza79/favorites/page38/?view=lg
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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* Canyon Dudleya – Dudleya cymosa * Canyon Dudleya – Dudleya cymosa
Dudleya cymosa ssp. ovatifolia =
Santa Monica Mountains Dudleya
Dudleya cymosa
ssp. ovatifolia
(threatened species)
Dudleya cymosa ssp. marcescens also
endemic to SMM (endangered)
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3284,3295,3310
http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_d/dudcym.html
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.xericworld.com/forums/crassulaceae/2906-dudleya-cymosa.html
Many Dudleyas have small or threatened Canyon Dudleya: a diva, yes, but smaller
distribution: some are very rare
Size:
< 1 ft tall (6-8” commonly)
< 1 ft wide
Growth form:
Dudleya greenii – a Channel Basal rosette; Echeveria-like
Islands endemic habit
Foliage:
Leaves light green to blue-
green; waxy
Shape varies with sub-species;
Like many California native plants, dudleyas are now considered flat and spoon-shaped to
rare, threatened or endangered, depending on the species. All are
protected by law, making it illegal to remove any plants from their lance-shaped.
natural habitat. Leaves cup/hold water
More are coming into cultivation – but many still are not available
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dudleya_cymosa_1.jpg
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33818785@N00/2594840898/
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ssp. marescens ssp. ovatifolia
Endemic to Santa Monica Mtns
Occur on sedimentary
Grows on shaded, rocky slopes
and volcanic rocks of
Rare the western Santa
Flowers yellow, sometimes w/ pink Monica Mountains
bracts
Also occurs in a few
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Dudleya_cymosa_marcescens.htm Grows on shaded, rocky slopes isolated occurrences in
the Santa Ana
Mountains of Orange Co.
Rare
Flowers bright yellow
with pink stalk
http://jay.timetotrack.com/dudlym3.htm
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.callutheran.edu/wf/chap/family/bjc-1781.htm
ssp. pumila Flowers are showy
CA endemic
Blooms: in spring – usually Apr-
San Gabriel Mtns; also May in western L.A. Co.
found in Kern, Mojave
and as far north as Flowers:
Monterey. Flowers on relatively short ( ~
Ssp. pumila 1 ft) flowering stalks that may
On Rocky outcrops, http://www.calfloranursery.com/pages_plants/pages_d/dudcym.html
be more simple or many
slopes, talus branched (ssp. pumila); arise
among older leaves (base of
Flowers yellow with
rosette)
conspicuous pink
bracts Flowers usually yellow but may
be pink; bracts and stems
Likely the one usually pink to orange-pink;
available in the trade, often showy
as it is the most
showy http://www.cnps-sgm.org/gallery/G-Dudleya.html
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33818785@N00/2594840898/ http://www.siskiyourareplantnursery.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=200
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Soils: Showcase a Diva
Excellent drainage
Texture: well-drained; sandy or
rocky best Makes an attractive pot plant;
pH: any local neat rosette & showy flowers
Light: Recommended for rock crevices
Afternoon shade is best; will look or growing out of the base of
best and survive better even in hot boulders in the rock garden
inland gardens
Full sun only on immediate coast Pair with local ferns,
Monkeyflowers, Nightshades
http://www.wildgingerfarm.com/Dudleya.htm
Water:
Winter: adequate; supplement in
dry years
Summer: best with occasional (once
a month) summer water – Water
Zone 1-2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33818785@N00/2594841114/ Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils. ¼
strength fertilizer in spring for
Use a rock mulch, like
container plants
Mother Nature does © Project SOUND http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/viewplant.php?pid=0284
http://stevewolf.smugmug.com/keyword/crassulaceae/1/1264431629_VzWnxbD#!i=1264431629
&k=VzWnxbD © Project SOUND
http://www.wrightmanalpines.com/plant/dudleya-cymosa
Be creative – Canyon Dudleya is a
versatile addition to the garden
http://www.cyndyandjohn.com/Holiday%20Letter%202004.htm http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Earth.Transformations.303-554-1352/picture/view/1707601
http://www.laspilitas.com/stores/escondido
Penstemon heterophyllus, Dudleya cymosa,
Mock Heather, and Sulfur Buckwheat seem to
do fine in hard, compacted soils
http://designerblog.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html
© Project SOUND http://gardeninginaustin.blogspot.com/2012/01/project-front-flower-bed.html © Project SOUND
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Many-stemmed Dudleya – Dudleya multicaulis Many-stemmed Dudleya – Dudleya multicaulis
Los Angeles Co. to
western San Bernardino,
Riverside, Orange and San
Diego Cos.
Most of its known
occurrences are in Orange
County, where it lives mostly
along the coastal plain in
heavy clay soils.
In dry, stony places below
2000 ft. in San Diegan
Coastal Sage scrub, Valley
Grassland & chaparral.
© 2002 BonTerra Consulting
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
Dudleya multicaulis is somewhat unusual Flowers: almost bulb-like
Blooms: in spring - usually
Size:
in April-June
< 1 ft tall & wide
Flowers:
Growth form:
dominated by its erect
Stem/upper root corm-like stems, which are topped
(underground vertical with a branching
stem); dies back in dry inflorescence bearing up to
season 15 flowers on each long, thin
In wild is not readily branch.
identifiable except during The flowers have pointed
the late spring and early yellow petals up to a
summer when succulent centimeter long, and long
leaves and flowers may be stamens.
observed.
Flowers age to red
Foliage:
Seeds: many, small in dry
Leaves few, finger-like, capsule that splits open
blue-green with pink blush
© Project SOUND © 2010 Andrew Borcher © Project SOUND
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/manystemmeddudleya.html
http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Crassulaceae/Dudleya%20multicaulis.htm
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Plant Requirements Soils: Bulb-like Diva
Texture: well-drained; rocky
Dudleya multicaulis best Grow where its small size will
pH: any local be appreciated:
Light: Rock walls
Afternoon shade or dappled Rock gardens
sun Containers
Can also take full sun – dies Works well in local native
back in summer bulb/fern garden
Water:
Winter: adequate moisture
Summer: dry to occasional
water – Water Zones 1 or 1-2;
let dry out after blooming like a
bulb
Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
© 2003 Kristin Szabo
Other: inorganic mulch shown with Isocoma menziesii, Hemizonia
© Project SOUND fasciculata © Project SOUND
http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Crassulaceae/Dudleya%20multicaulis.htm
http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/plants/Crassulaceae/Dudleya%20multicaulis.htm
San Gabriel Mtns. Dudleya – Dudleya densiflora
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://drystonegarden.com/index.php/2009/01/cabernet-stone-terracing/
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*Powdery Live-forever – Dudleya farinosa *Powdery Live-forever – Dudleya farinosa
Most common along coast from San
Francisco and north for about 800 miles
to Oregon and some miles up its coast.
Typical coastal species – low-growing
with very showy flowers
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3284,3295,3320
© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
Powdery Dudleya: a
Dudleya groundcovers – the
spreading diva
spreaders
Super succulent to fill a pot or
rock crevice
Can also be used as a succulent
groundcover
http://www.infojardin.com/foro/showthread.php?t=36822
Gerald and Buff Corsi © California Academy of Sciences http://www.faroutflora.com/2011/01/08/dudleyas-dudleyas-dudleyas/
© 2002 Brad Kelley
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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Many Dudleyas work well in planters Dudleyas are so versatile : formal or informal
http://drystonegarden.com/index.php/2009/01/cabernet-stone-terracing/
http://kristamaxwell.com/garden/photos2.html
Dudleyas with strict
rosettes look quite formal
© Project SOUND http://www.ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/more-showcase-2009-023-341x455.jpg © Project SOUND
Dudleya Bright Green Dudleya – Dudleya virens ssp hassei
Groundcovers
Dudleya farinosa
Dudleya virens
http://marvistagreengardenshowcase.blogspot.com/2012/02/3041-midvale-avenue.html Dudleya edulis
Dudleya anomala
Dudleya viscida
Dudleya caespitosa
http://marvistagreengardenshowcase.blogspot.com/2012/02/12806-stanwood-drive.html
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND
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