Native Succulents - notes

1/7/2013

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Simply Succulent

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve
Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants June 6 & 9, 2009
Project SOUND - 2009
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

It’s easy to fall in love with cacti & succulents This may (or may not) be your idea of
heaven on earth

http://www.dryscapes.eu/11.html
http://www.cactus-mall.com/pictures/pic00024.jpg

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1/7/2013

But most of us have at least one place in our yards Succulents complement contemporary
where cacti/succulents might be the best solution architecture...

http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0006/73491/Succulent-Garden.jpg

http://hotels.about.com/od/newmexico/ig/Sierra-Grande-Lodge/Cactus-Garden.htm

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1476610400079711680tHyVBV
http://image61.webshots.com/161/0/69/53/520706953KNboGn_fs.jpg

…and add interesting color & texture to Cacti & succulents can be valuable
many types of gardens additions to water-wise gardens

http://succulentplants.net/garden.htm
http://paradiseenvironments.com/OutdoorLiving/outdoor_living.htm

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1/7/2013

And can be easy to grow, with minimal effort We already know that California (and Baja
California) plants are special…

 Our Mediterranean climate requires that
plants adapt to summer drought.
 One common adaptations is succulence.
Modified tissues store large amounts of
water, making the plant part appear
fleshy, succulent, or swollen.
 Species in various plant families and
genera have independently evolved
succulence as a mechanism for conserving
water and survival in arid environments.
 There are an estimated 10,000 succulent
plant species throughout the world
http://www.ci.poway.ca.us/Modules/ShowImage.aspx?imageid=1146


Several types of succulence: Most, but not all, succulent plants are
from hot dry climates
 Leaf Succulents: Leaves are almost entirely
composed of water storage cells covered by a thin
layer of green photosynthetic tissue.
Examples: Stonecrop family - Aloe, Dudleya,
Sedum, non-native Iceplants
 Stem Succulents: Fleshy stems contain water
storage cells overlaid by photosynthetic tissue.
Leaves are almost or entirely absent, reducing
surface area to prevent evaporative loss of water.
Examples: most cacti, Euphorbias; Giant Coreopsis.
 Root Succulents: Swollen fleshy roots store water
underground away from the heat of the sun and
hungry animals. Stems and leaves are often
deciduous and shed during prolonged dry seasons. Salty Susan - Jaumea carnosa Pickleweed - Salicornia virginica
Examples: Manroot (Marah), Abronia, .
Combinations of the above types may occur where  Succulence developed for the same reason in
more than one organ is used to store water. saltmarsh plants – to allow the plant to conserve
Examples: Agave, Heliotropium curassavicum water
(Seaside Heliotrope)
© Project SOUND http://www.sanelijo.org/saltmarsh.html © Project SOUND

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1/7/2013

What is a cactus (and how is it different Coastal S. CA has a unique plant
from other succulents)? community : Southern Cactus Scrub
 Cacti are a distinct plant family  Dominated by cacti and coastal sage scrub
(Cactaceae). species.

 They are plants of hot environments  Must be 20% or more cover of coastal prickly-
pear (Opuntia littoralis) and/or Oracle cactus
 They are perennial succulent plants with (Opuntia oricola).
thick stems usually covered with
spines. Spines are not all over the  In coastal areas, coastal cholla (Cylindropuntia/
surface but are borne in felty cushions Opuntia prolifera) may be a common
called areoles.  Other common species CA Encelia, California
 Sometimes mistakenly called leaves, the sagebrush, buckwheat, black sage (Salvia
http://www.flickr.com/photos/liamkestrel/3383069515/

joints of prickly pears are flattened You can use the Cactus mellifera), and Mexican elderberry (Sambucus
stems. True leaves, if not completely mexicana).
Scrub community as
absent, usually are very small and inspiration for your  The understory is frequently composed of
inconspicuous and soon fall away. foothill needlegrass, bent grass (Agrostis spp.),
garden
and a variety of herbaceous forb species.
 The more than 1500 different
species of cacti are native to the  Occurs primarily on south-facing slopes on low
foothills away from the immediate coast.
Western Hemisphere, from Canada
to Patagonia.

The genus Optuntia Coastal Prickly-pear - Opuntia littoralis
 Family: Cactaceae
 Opuntia genus has two branches
 Prickly Pears "Platyopuntia" (flat joints)
 Chollas "Cylindropuntia" (rounded joints)
 About three dozen species
throughout the United States
 Native to every state except Maine,
Vermont and New Hampshire
 Natural hybridization common
 Lifespan <20 years (most short-lived
of all cacti)
 Main food producing cacti - both
pads and fruit.
© 2002 Lynn Watson

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1/7/2013

Chaparral Pricklypear – Opuntia oricola Yum – Pricklypears
can be used in so
many ways!

 I’ll send out a
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2391/2383907636_378192341a.jpg?v=0
recipe sheet

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Opuntia_oricola
http://www.arizonagift.com/convention_mini_gifts.htm
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_oricola.htm
© Project SOUND http://www.sacatomato.com/2008/06/cooking_with_diana_kennedy.html © Project SOUND

Coastal Cholla – Cylindropuntia/Optuntia prolifera
Cylindropuntia

© 2004 Vince Scheidt

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Opuntia4_filtered.jpg © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

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1/7/2013

Coastal Cholla – Cylindropuntia/Optuntia prolifera Coastal cacti depend on summer fogs

 Pacific coast from
southern California
(USA) to central Baja
California (Mexico)
 Ocean bluffs, inland
coastal sage flats, arid
slopes below 600' near
the coast, coastal sage
scrub
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?2702,2726,2749
 It’s name (prolifera)
describes how it grows –
with many offshoots
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database


Coastal Cholla is a medium-sized cactus
But they really are quite drought tolerant
 Size:
 4-8 ft tall
 to 8 ft wide

 Growth form:
 Tree-like or shrubby cactus
 Extensive branching; branches
are cylindrical
 Branches blue-green when
young; covered with darker
bark when older

 Foliage:
 None that is permanent
 Spines and glochids typical of
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_prolifera.htm
Opuntia-type cacti



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Flowers are fantastic Cactus flowers: unique and showy
 Blooms:  Showy, colorful petals – attract insect
 Spring-summer pollinators;
 Usually Apr-June or July  many different insects visit the flowers
 Flowers open over several  bees are most common pollinators
weeks
 Sweet-scented (many)
 Flowers:
 Male (stamen) organs can move toward
 Small (for cactus) – 1-2 inches
the center of the flowers when touched
 Magenta to dark (burgandy) red (thigmotropic).
 Very bright & showy
 Happens very quickly on a hot day
 Seeds:  Explanation:
 Often sterile – we’ll learn why  May force pollen onto the bodies of
pollinators (bees) to assist in cross
in a second pollination
 ? Role in getting flowers pollinated quickly
 Vegetative reproduction: so excess energy not spent in reproduction?
 Most common means of  ? keeps non-pollinators from ‘stealing’ the
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/coastcholla.html reproduction; segments break pollen?
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_prolifera.htm off easily © Project SOUND http://www.timetotrack.com/jay/chollac2.htm © Project SOUND

Opuntia fruits are often fleshy, brightly colored Growth requirements for  Soils:
 Texture: well-drained soils;
 Adapted for hot, dry
local Opuntia-type Cacti sandy or gravelly/rocky the
conditions best
 Keep seed/embryo moist &  pH: any local, including alkali
protected during seed
development  Light:
 Attract birds/animals once  Full sun in most gardens
seed is ready to spread  Some afternoon shade fine in
 Develop sweet flesh very hot gardens
 Color becomes more dark-
red/purple once seeds are  Water:
fully developed
 Winter: winter rains usually
 This cholla has sterile seeds adequate
 Sterile hybrid – probably  Summer: likes to be fairly dry
between several species now
found only in Mexico (C. (Zones 1 to 1-2; Zone 2 in pots)
alcahes X C. cholla )
http://ucbglcs.blogspot.com/
 Note: fruits are green – not  Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils
red – and not particularly good
to eat http://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6342  Other: use a rock mulch, if any

http://www.sanpedrorivervalley.org/old_road_byway.htm

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1/7/2013

Garden uses for local
Opuntia-type cacti Some people use
 Good choice for coastal habitat gardens Opuntia-type cacti
 Habitat for coastal cactus wren (rare)
 Insects and hummingbirds drawn to
for hedges
flowers
 Birds and mammals eat the fruits
 Some mammals/lizards actually live http://www.backtonatives.org/nativelandscapes.htm
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/Syllabus2/factshee
t.cfm?ID=792 in/near to cacti for protection
 For their food value
 In a cactus/desert style garden
And they work pretty
 In large planters/containers
well
 As accent plants in dry areas of the
garden – placement is key
 Excellent choice for hillsides
 As a barrier or hedge plant

© Project SOUND http://content.ci.pomona.ca.us/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/Frasher&CISOPTR=6863&CISOBOX=1&REC=20
© Project SOUND
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Opuntia_prolifera.htm

You may have heard of ‘Jumping Chollas’ Golden-spined Cereus – Bergerocactus emoryi

 Don’t not really jump.
 The barbed spines
allow them to seize
the passer-by and
"disarticulate readily"
from the mother plant.
 This allows the plant
http://www.graci.com/photoday.htm
to spread widely by
vegetative propagation
 Bottom line: consider
garden placement of
cacti carefully

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1053071767036424719YtiPgK

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1/7/2013

Golden-spined Cereus – Bergerocactus emoryi In nature: Catalina Island
 San Clemente Island,
Santa Catalina Island,
Coastal Orange Co.,
southern San Diego Co.
 AKA ‘Goldensnake cactus’



Characteristics of Golden-spined Cereus Flowers are showy
 Size:  Blooms:
 1-2 ft tall  Late spring – typical for
coastal cacti
 3-5+ ft wide; spreading
 Usually Apr-Jul. in our area
 Growth form:
 Flowers:
 Evergreen cactus
 Lovely lemon yellow
 Many upright, cylindrical
stems  ~ 2” wide
 Long bloom period – open
 Foliage: over a period of time
 No leaves  Showy indeed!
 Fragile, glass-like spines -
many
 Fruits: red, globular, sweet;
loved by birds, animals

 Vegetative reproduction: yes
© 2005 Dieter Wilken © 2007 John M. Taylor

© 2007 John M. Taylor

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1/7/2013

Garden uses for
Plant Requirements  Soils:
 Texture: any local; well- smaller native cacti
drained is better
 pH: any local  Attractive as pot plants
 Light: full sun to light shade  In a cactus/succulent garden
 Water:  In a local coastal garden with
 Winter: likes good winter it’s natural associates: Coyote
rains; supplement if needed Bush, Sticky Monkeyflower,
© 2007 Halleh Paymard

 Summer: like to be dry in Lemonadeberry, local native
summer: Zone 1-2 probably grasses and annual wildflowers
optimal
 Note: plant is rare in CA, still
 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils common in Baja
 Other: inorganic mulch  Fire-retardant plant

http://cactiguide.com/Bergerocactus.htm

Propagating cacti from cuttings – easy (at Be careful of all the spiny structures when
least in theory) working with cacti
 Carefully remove a pad or offset  The glochids get into
(cut or pull off) your skin and are very
irritating. If you cannot
 Let the wound callus over (a get them out, you end up
week to up to a month) with something that
resembles an infected
 Place pad (wounded side down) in mosquito bite.
potting mix (I use commercial
mix with added perlite or sand)  Preferred method of
removal: apply sticky
 Place in bright shade tape to them and lift
 Water when soil begins to dry them out. Glochids are
out generally too fine to be
grasped with tweezers.
 Wait – may take a while


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1/7/2013

Purchasing native cacti & succulents Local cacti, Yucca & Agaves are great for
those out-of-the way slopes
 Many native species
are rare or
endangered
 Never collect in
nature without a
permit
 Buy only from
http://calplants.biz/yuccawhipplei.html
reputable dealers



*Our Lord’s Candle – Hesperoyucca (Yucca) whipplei Yuccas – the genus Yucca
 There are at least 50 species of
Yucca within the Agavaceae -
numerous subspecies, varieties,
forms, cultivars and hybrids.
 Occur exclusively in the Americas,
distributed over a wide area from
Canada into Central America and the
Carribean
 There are species adapted to dry
deserts, grasslands and tropical
rainforests.
 All but one species (Y. whipplei) can
flower many times (polycarpic) and
produce side-shoots to compensate
for loss of the apical growing point by
its conversion into a flower bud.
http://www.researchlearningcenter.com/bloom/species/Yucca_whipplei.htm
© 2003 BonTerra Consulting

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Yuccas are pollinated by The Agaves – genus Agave
special ‘Yucca Moths’
 Closely related to the Yuccas – both in
 Self pollination of Yucca Agavaceae Family
flowers of many species is
impossible, although a few are  Agaves are not cacti (or even closely
self-fertile. related to cacti) - are closely related
to the lily and amaryllis families
 Most Yuccas are pollinated  Primarily from Mexico, but also occur
exclusively by small Yucca in the southern and western United
moths with the plant and moth States and central and tropical South
totally dependent on each America.
other.
 Have a large rosette of thick fleshy
 Recent research has shown that leaves, each ending generally in a sharp
there are at least 16 different point and with a spiny margin;
Yucca Moths (Tegeticula  The stout stem (caudex) is usually
species) - all are specialized in short - the leaves appear to arise
pollinating their "own" Yucca from the root.
species.

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/chaparralyucca.html We’ll be talking about Yucca another time
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Agavaceae/Agave_shawii.html
G.A. Cooper @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

The Agaves – genus Agave *Coastal Agave – Agave shawii
 Popular ornamental plants.
 Each rosette grows slowly to flower
only once. During flowering a tall
stem or "mast" grows from the
center of the leaf rosette and bears
a large number of shortly tubular
flowers.
 After development of fruit the
original plant dies, but suckers are
frequently produced from the base
of the stem which become new plants.
 Agave species are used as food plants
by the larvae of some Lepidoptera
(butterfly and moth) species
http://www.oceanoasis.org/fieldguide/agav-sha.html



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1/7/2013

*Coastal Agave – Agave shawii Shaw’s Agave in maritime shrub community
 Pacific coast from S. San Diego
Co. to Baja
 Grows immediate to the coast,
often in sandy soils
 coastal bluffs and slopes
 coastal sage scrub community
 maritime succulent scrub
community

 Grows with many of our local
native plants, including Golden-
spine Cereus
 Habitat is often quite low &
open


Plant associates include many from our
Shaw’s Agave – stunning in the right place
coastal shrub & prairie communities
 Size:
 2-3 ft tall (rosette); flowering stalk
much taller (15-40 ft. tall)
 3-6 ft wide

 Growth form:
 Clumping evergreen succulent
 Spreads by suckering from the caudex
(produces ‘pups’)
 Very showy & unusual
http://www.pitzer.edu/offices/arboretum/scott_lawn/desert.html

 Foliage:
 Leaf color: varies from dark blue-green
to yellow-green
 Stout sharp tip-spine as well as curved
leaf margin spines – place away from
walkways, etc.

© Project SOUND © 2006 Steve Matson © Project SOUND
http://www.geographylists.com/sandiegoplants.html

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1/7/2013

What a show when Agaves bloom!!
 Blooms:
 Variable; almost any time of
year in western L.A. Co.
 Takes about 15 years to
flower
 Flowers:
 On stout tall flowering stalk
 Showy, bright yellow flowers
 Attract a number of insects,
including moths
 Seeds:
 Flat, black seeds in thick pod
 Can grow agaves from seed –
may have many infertile seeds
 Vegetative reproduction:
usually many ‘pups’ to replace the
plant that just flowered.

http://www.delange.org/AgaveCoastal/AgaveCoastal.htm

Growing Agaves  Soils: Agaves make great
 Texture: any as long as
- well-drained soil drainage is good; love sandy,
accent plants
rocky soils
 pH: any local except low pH (<6)  In very large pots/planters
– remember, these are
 Light: large plants
 Coastal – full sun
 Hot, inland gardens – light
 Look wonderful in
(afternoon) shade hillsides/slopes
http://www.delange.org/AgaveCoastal/AgaveCoastal.htm

 Water:  Looks equally at home with
 Winter: needs good drainage; other cacti & succulents –
plant on slopes, or other well- or with coastal
drained situations prairie/shrubland plants
 Summer: Like to be fairly dry
 Good player in a rock
(Zone 1-2; water several times
per summer); no overhead garden
water
 Excellent accent against
 Fertilizer: none; like poor soils gray-green foliage
http://www.sbbg.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=livingcollections.plantDetail&plant_id=28

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1/7/2013

Agave & Yucca as food and fiber Agave attenuata: a Mexican species
available in the U.S.

http://www.howka.com/scrapbook/ciba_2005/

http://www.cowboyshowcase.com/glossary%20personalgear.htm
http://media.photobucket.com/image/Tequila/ccerna/tequila.jpg

 Flowers, leaves &
stem are edible

http://www.so-utah.com/feature/anasazi/homepage.html
http://www.nps.gov/zion/historyculture/yucca-sandal.htm http://www.geographylists.com/sandiegoplants.html http://www.cactusjungle.com/blog/2008/09/30/berkeley-succulent-garden-3/

Agave ‘Blue Flame’ Cacti & succulents from Baja & other
parts of Mexico, SW U.S.
 Combines the features of its
parent species: A. shawii X
A. attenuata

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2871

http://museum.utep.edu/chih/gardens/succulen/succulen.htm

Lots of wonderful species – but are they right for my yard?
http://www.huntington.org/BotanicalDiv/ISI2005/isi/2005-06.html

15

1/7/2013

Using species from CA & SW desert regions The same advice goes for
 Contrary to popular belief, succulents from other places
western L.A. county is not
‘a desert’  Know as much as you can about
 Challenges for using desert their requirements
cacti/succulents:  Be sure that you group
 Soil must be well-drained compatible plants – just because
 Wet years and fog may kill they are succulent doesn’t mean
the plants – fungal http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=3666 they have the same requirements
diseases
 Some species (from
Sonoran Desert – in south)
need a ‘summer monsoon’
period – you’ll have to give
them it
 Advice:
 Learn as much as you can
about the requirements/
habitat of a species
before you purchase it
 Be really careful in
http://www.nps.gov/cagr/forkids/the-sonoran-desert.htm
planning your©Water Zones
Project SOUND
http://sdccs-oasis.blogspot.com/2008/02/bring-your-succulent-cuttings-your-old.html
© Project SOUND
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_nm/top-national-monuments-7.html

Our local climate allows us to grow special succulents The Stonecrop Family: Crassulaceae
– the Dudleyas
 ~ 1500 species
 Most genera exhibit some leaf succulence
 Many species are used widely as garden and
house plants Examples:

 The genus Crassula includes the well-known Jade
http://www.southampton.bcss.org.uk/images/image145.jpg Plants and other small sub-shrubs, choice
minatures and mat-forming plants.
Echeverias
 Cotyledon includes interesting shrubby species
with succulent stems and leaves. Some species
have showy tubular yellow, orange or red flowers.
 Echeverias are often used in rock gardens and
indoor plants.
 Kalanchoe includes plants with showy flowers.
Dudleyas thrive in our mild,  Sedums are well known for hardy mat-forming
Stonecrops which provides useful flower color in
coastal-influenced the garden in late summer and early autumn.
Mediterranean climate
© Project SOUND Kalanchoe © Project SOUND

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1/7/2013

The Live-forevers: genus Dudleya Many Dudleyas have small or threatened
distribution: some are very rare
 Named for William Russel Dudley (1849-
1911), first professor of botany and head
of the Botany Department at Stanford
University
 ~ 40 species; native to the arid western Dudleya greenii – a Channel
United States (in particular, Southwest/ Islands endemic
Northern California and Oregon), Baja
California.
 Very similar in appearance to other
Stonecrops (sempervivum; sedum;
echeveria).
Like many California native plants, dudleyas are now considered
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Rus
sell_Dudley_(1849-1911).jpg 
 Often grow in stone crevasses or sand rare, threatened or endangered, depending on the species. All are
protected by law, making it illegal to remove any plants from their
dunes with little or no organic soil. natural habitat.
 Long-lived (to 100+ years for some  More are coming into cultivation – but many still are not available
species) hence the common name

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

17

Native Succulents - notes

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