Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii
Orcutt's dudleya
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Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii (Orcutt's dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by coastal habitat and narrow leaves diagnostic.
Orcutt's dudleya is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in southern San Diego County coastal bluffs at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white flowers often rose-flushed and red-lined, spreading from their centers in delicate clusters. Growing in small rosettes 3 to 50 strong, with stems 3 to 10 millimeters wide, it forms distinctive compact clusters. Its evergreen leaves are linear to linear-oblanceolate, 2 to 10 centimeters long, with a glaucous appearance and a distinctive purple-red base. The succulent leaves are round in cross-section, creating a striking geometric pattern against the coastal landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species, coastal habitat and narrow leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs
Elevation: < 50 m
California counties: San Diego
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 attenuata subsp. orcuttii native to California?
Yes. Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii bloom?
Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii grow?
Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii occurs in San Diego, at elevations of < 50 m.
What plant family does Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii belong to?
Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii rare or endangered?
Dudleya attenuata subsp. orcuttii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.