Dudleya chasmophyta
Crevice live-forever
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Dudleya chasmophyta (Crevice live-forever) is a native California perennial in the Crassulaceae family.
Crevice live-forever is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in steep, rocky cliff habitats at elevations of 350 to 505 meters. Flowering from May to June, this succulent produces bright yellow flowers in delicate cymes with green peduncles speckled with red-brown. Growing in small rosettes up to 9.2 centimeters wide with stems less than 2 centimeters long, the plant forms compact clusters on rocky surfaces. Its leaves are oblong to oblanceolate, 2.1 to 4.3 centimeters long and 0.9 to 1.2 centimeters wide, with green to brownish-green surfaces and sometimes folded margins. The plant's outer leaves spread or ascend, creating a distinctive low-growing form that clings tenaciously to rocky crevices.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated - no sympatric species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Steep, rocky cliffs, conglomerate rock
Elevation: 350-505 m
Bloom period
Dudleya chasmophyta blooms May-June.
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 chasmophyta native to California?
Yes. Dudleya chasmophyta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya chasmophyta bloom?
Dudleya chasmophyta blooms May-June.
What plant family does Dudleya chasmophyta belong to?
Dudleya chasmophyta is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya chasmophyta rare or endangered?
Dudleya chasmophyta carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Dudleya chasmophyta grow in?
Dudleya chasmophyta grows in Steep, rocky cliffs, conglomerate rock.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-17
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.