Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola
Limestone dudleya, Limestone Dudleya
Photo: parent species Dudleya abramsii · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola (Limestone dudleya) is a native California perennial in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by flower size and branching pattern diagnostic.
Limestone dudleya is a rare (CNPS 4.3) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Mountains on open, rocky granite or limestone outcrops at elevations of 500 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from May to July, this succulent produces yellow flowers with darker yellow keels, sometimes tinged with red, in delicate inflorescences. Growing in compact rosettes 1 to 9 centimeters wide with short stems 0.3 to 2 centimeters across, it forms dense clusters on rocky terrain. Its fleshy leaves are lance-oblong to lanceolate, 1 to 6 centimeters long and 2 to 9 millimeters wide, with acute to slightly pointed tips that help it survive in harsh, exposed environments. The flower petals are 9 to 15 millimeters long, fused at the base and narrowly acute, reflecting the plant's adaptation to rocky, limestone habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species, flower size and branching pattern diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky, granite or generally limestone outcrops
Elevation: 500-2600 m
California counties: Kern, Tulare, Fresno
Bloom period
Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola blooms May-Jun (Jul).
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 abramsii subsp. calcicola native to California?
Yes. Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola bloom?
Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola blooms May-Jun (Jul).
Where in California does Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola grow?
Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola occurs in Kern, Tulare, Fresno, at elevations of 500-2600 m.
What plant family does Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola belong to?
Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola rare or endangered?
Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.