Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii
Santa clara valley dudleya, Santa Clara Valley Dudleya
Photo: parent species Dudleya abramsii · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii (Santa clara valley dudleya) is a native California perennial in the Crassulaceae family.
Santa clara valley dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the southern Santa Clara Valley in rocky serpentine grassland outcrops at elevations of 120 to 300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this succulent produces pale yellow flowers with jagged-edged petals 8 to 13 millimeters long. Growing in tight rosettes 2 to 9 centimeters wide with stems 10 to 20 millimeters thick, it forms compact clusters in its serpentine habitat. Its distinctive leaves are glaucous, oblong-triangular to lance-elliptic, measuring 3 to 8 centimeters long and 7 to 15 millimeters wide. The plant develops an inflorescence with peduncles 5 to 20 centimeters long, bearing 2 to 3 ascending branches with pale yellow flower clusters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated, no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky outcrops in serpentine grassland
Elevation: 120-300 m
California counties: Santa Clara, Mendocino, Solano, Monterey, Alameda, San Benito, Contra Costa
Bloom period
Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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. setchellii native to California?
Yes. Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii bloom?
Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii grow?
Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii occurs in Santa Clara, Mendocino, Solano, Monterey, Alameda, San Benito, Contra Costa, at elevations of 120-300 m.
What plant family does Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii belong to?
Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii rare or endangered?
Dudleya abramsii subsp. setchellii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
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 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.