Dudleya pulverulenta
Chalk dudleya
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Dudleya pulverulenta (Chalk dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by unmistakable white chalky coating and pendant red flowers.
Chalk dudleya is a California native perennial found in central California coastal ranges, southern coastal ranges, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in rocky cliffs and canyons at elevations generally below 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces red flowers with a waxy texture, emerging from large white rosettes up to 60 centimeters wide. Growing with thick, evergreen leaves 40 to 60 centimeters long and 3 to 10 centimeters wide, it forms dramatic clusters covered in dense, mealy white powder that gives the plant a chalky appearance. Its oblong leaves taper to an acuminate or mucronate tip, with a broad base up to 8 centimeters wide. The plant develops tall flowering stalks 30 to 100 centimeters high with branching clusters that initially nod and later spread outward.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 33 sympatric species - unmistakable white chalky coating and pendant red flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: +- common. Rocky cliffs, canyons
Elevation: generally < 1000 m
California counties: San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, Inyo, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Monterey
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Dudleya pulverulenta 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 pulverulenta native to California?
Yes. Dudleya pulverulenta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya pulverulenta bloom?
Dudleya pulverulenta blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Dudleya pulverulenta grow?
Dudleya pulverulenta occurs in San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, Inyo, San Bernardino, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of generally < 1000 m.
What plant family does Dudleya pulverulenta belong to?
Dudleya pulverulenta is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
What habitat does Dudleya pulverulenta grow in?
Dudleya pulverulenta grows in +- common. Rocky cliffs, canyons.
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.