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Dudleya edulis - (Nutt.)Moran.

Common Name Mission Lettuce, Fingertips
Family Crassulaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rocky hillsides below 1,000 metres[71]. High elevations in the Sonoran Desert[200].
Range South-western N. America - S. California.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Dudleya edulis Mission Lettuce, Fingertips


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Dudleya edulis Mission Lettuce, Fingertips

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

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

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Stem
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw. Fleshy[183]. They are considered to be a delicacy[183]. Stems - slightly sweet and refreshing to chew, though they leave a chalky taste in the mouth[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a very sunny position in a well-drained soil[200]. Plants enter a semi-dormant state in late summer and they should be kept fairly dry at this time[200]. 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[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

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[200]. The main stem can also be used, the parent plant will then produce new plantlets at the cut edge[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (California (southwest)), Mexico (Baja California (Norte) (northwest))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Dudleya lanceolataLanceleaf LiveforeverPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNM10 
Dudleya pulverulentaChalk Lettuce, Chalk dudleyaPerennial0.0 7-10  LMHSNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Nutt.)Moran.

Botanical References

71200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Mon Feb 6 2006

I several of these plants in pots on my patio and they do tolerate shade.

   Tue Jan 20 2009

This will tolerate light frost.

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Subject : Dudleya edulis  
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