Mission Lettuce, Fingertips
Dudleya edulis

Family: Crassulaceae

What it is like

Dudleya edulis is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Rocky hillsides below 1,000 metres. High elevations in the Sonoran Desert.

South-western N. America - S. California.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Leaves - raw. Fleshy. They are considered to be a delicacy. Stems - slightly sweet and refreshing to chew, though they leave a chalky taste in the mouth.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Requires a very sunny position in a well-drained soil. Plants enter a semi-dormant state in late summer and they should be kept fairly dry at this time. There must be some doubt over the hardiness of this species. One report says that it is hardy to zone 8 which suggests that it should tolerate occasional cold periods down to between -5 and -10°c, but the report also says that the plants should be protected from frost, with a winter temperatures no lower than 7°c.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of side shoots in the summer. Dry the stem for 24 hours before planting in a very sandy soil mix. The main stem can also be used, the parent plant will then produce new plantlets at the cut edge.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cotyledon edulis. (Nutt.)Brewer.&Wats. Echeveria edulis. Stylophyllum edulis.