Scientific Name
Dudleya gnoma S.McCabe
Common Name(s)
Munchkin Liveforever, Munchkin Dudleya, White Sprite
Synonym(s)
Dudleya 'White Sprite', Dudleya greenei 'White Sprite', Dudleya gnoma 'White Sprite', Dudleya greenei f. nana, Dudleya nana
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Dudleya
Description
Dudleya gnoma is a rare compact succulent that grows from a caudex topped with clumps of rosettes of up to 20 small leaves. The rosettes grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Leaves are fleshy, triangular to triangular-ovate, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, and up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide. They are green, red-tinged, or white with a waxy powdery coating of exudate. The rosettes produce an up to 5.2 inches (13 cm) tall inflorescence studded with small triangular leaves, bearing up to 10 flowers. The flowers are pale to bright yellow, sometimes orange, and up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Most of the habitats Dudleyas occupy become dry in summer. Therefore, it is important to cut off water to Dudleyas in your garden during the summer. Plants grown in sandy soils or containers are exceptions. They will accept infrequent summer watering as long as the soil drains well. The onset of fall or winter rains reawakens Dudleyas from drought-induced dormancy. Their shriveled leaves plump up quickly, growth resumes, and flowering occurs during the next spring or summer. These plants are amazingly resilient. If a portion of a colony sloughs off a cliff face or is uprooted by a burrowing animal, it can persist for months until soil contact is reestablished. Species that naturally grow on ocean bluffs are also salt-spray tolerant.
Dudleyas have their share of disease and pest problems. However, if you can prevent Argentine Ants from introducing mealybugs or aphids to your Dudleyas, they will be healthier. Mealybugs nestle in the deep recesses of the leaves, and their feeding weakens the plants.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Dudleya.
Origin
This succulent is endemic to Santa Rosa Island, one of California's Channel Islands. It is known from one single population containing about 3200 plants. Though rare in the wild, this Dudleya is kept in cultivation by gardeners and enthusiasts of succulents, known under the illegitimate names: Dudleya 'White Sprite', Dudleya greenei 'White Sprite', Dudleya gnoma 'White Sprite' or Dudleya greenei f. nana.
Links
- Back to genus Dudleya
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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