J20161009-0014—Dudleya lanceolata

Dudleya lanceolata—desert savior. Also called lance-leaved dudleya or Southern California live forever, but I prefer W. L. Jepson's name. As he explained in "The Flora of California", "Prospectors traveling over arid wastes chew the leaves of this plant when out of water. Some 'desert rats' carry it in their packs as a resource in time of need. The leaves are a little bitter, but they often serve tide over a period of stress or even save life in dire extremity." D. lanceolata ranges from Monterey and Kern Counties to Baja California. The flower color is often red but yellow is common as well. The plant photographed was purchased from Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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