Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae
Blochman's dudleya, Blochman's Dudleya
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Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae (Blochman's dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by Small clay/serpentine dudleya; rosettes 1-7 cm with generally <12 thin, summer-deciduous leaves; s CCo-SCo-Santa Cruz I.
Blochman's dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native succulent found in southern California Coast, southern California Coast, and northern Channel Islands including Santa Cruz Island on open, rocky slopes, often on serpentine or clay-dominated terrain at elevations below 450 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces pale yellow to white flowers in small clusters atop thin stems. Growing in compact rosettes 1 to 7 centimeters wide with stems 7 to 25 millimeters tall, it forms dense, low-growing clusters. Its succulent leaves are generally fewer than 12, measuring 1 to 6 centimeters long and 3 to 8 millimeters wide, with a thick, somewhat fleshy texture. The plant's small, spherical to fusiform rosettes and distinctive habitat on rocky, often serpentine slopes make it a unique endemic to coastal California.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Small clay/serpentine dudleya; rosettes 1-7 cm with generally <12 thin, summer-deciduous leaves; s CCo-SCo-Santa Cruz I.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, rocky slopes, often serpentine or clay-dominated
Elevation: < 450 m
California counties: Orange, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Alameda
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae native to California?
Yes. Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae bloom?
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae grow?
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae occurs in Orange, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Alameda, at elevations of < 450 m.
What plant family does Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae belong to?
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae rare or endangered?
Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. blochmaniae 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 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.