Dudleya brevifolia
Shortleaved dudleya
(c) James C. Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Dudleya brevifolia (Shortleaved dudleya) is a native California perennial in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by extremely small size and short leaves diagnostic.
Shortleaved dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in southern Southern California Coast Ranges in southwestern San Diego County on bare sandstone terraces at elevations below 250 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white to pale yellow flowers in small clusters. Growing in tight rosettes 0.5 to 4 centimeters wide with stems 1.5 to 3.5 centimeters tall, it forms compact, low-growing clusters. Its leaves are 5 to 15 per rosette, somewhat spherical to spoon-shaped, 0.7 to 1.5 centimeters long with distinctive purple-red bases. In summer, the plant becomes deciduous, shedding its leaves and conserving resources in its arid habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species, extremely small size and short leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Bare sandstone terraces
Elevation: < 250 m
California counties: San Diego
Bloom period
Dudleya brevifolia 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 brevifolia native to California?
Yes. Dudleya brevifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya brevifolia bloom?
Dudleya brevifolia blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Dudleya brevifolia grow?
Dudleya brevifolia occurs in San Diego, at elevations of < 250 m.
What plant family does Dudleya brevifolia belong to?
Dudleya brevifolia is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya brevifolia rare or endangered?
Dudleya brevifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
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.