Dudleya edulis
Fingertips
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Dudleya edulis (Fingertips) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by cylindrical finger-like leaves diagnostic.
Fingertips is a California native perennial found in southern coastal California and the Peninsular Ranges on rocky slopes, ledges, and soil at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from May to July, this succulent produces white to cream-colored flowers in open clusters with terminal branches 4 to 10 centimeters long. Growing in dense clusters with rosettes 5 to 10 centimeters wide, the plant has erect stems 1.5 to 4.5 centimeters thick. Its evergreen leaves are elongated and cylindrical, 8 to 20 centimeters long and 4 to 10 millimeters wide, with an olive-green appearance and a pale yellow base. The rosettes form compact clusters, with each rosette featuring acute-tipped leaves lightly covered in a translucent wax.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species, cylindrical finger-like leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: On soil, rocky slopes, ledges
Elevation: < 1300 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Marin
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Dudleya edulis blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Curio: Dudleya has thick succulent leaves in rosettes; Curio has thin, cylindrical or string-like leaves.; vs Echeveria: Dudleya flower stalks emerge from leaf axils; Echeveria flowers emerge from rosette center.; vs Sedum: Dudleya forms distinct basal rosettes; Sedum grows as spreading mats or upright stems without rosettes.; vs Aeonium: Dudleya has smooth leaf edges; Aeonium has tiny hairs along leaf margins.; vs Carpobrotus: Dudleya has rosettes under 30cm; Carpobrotus has sprawling succulent stems over 1m long.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dudleya edulis native to California?
Yes. Dudleya edulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya edulis bloom?
Dudleya edulis blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Dudleya edulis grow?
Dudleya edulis occurs in San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Marin, at elevations of < 1300 m.
What plant family does Dudleya edulis belong to?
Dudleya edulis is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
What habitat does Dudleya edulis grow in?
Dudleya edulis grows in On soil, rocky slopes, ledges.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.