Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia
Pierpoint springs dudleya
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia (Pierpoint springs dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by high elevation limestone specialist with dense clustering.
Pierpoint springs dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in limestone outcrops at elevations of 1,450 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from May to June, this succulent produces bright yellow flowers in dense clusters atop slender stems. Growing in tight, clustered rosettes 1 to 5 centimeters wide with erect stems up to 1.5 centimeters thick, it forms compact, distinctive groupings. Its leaves are glaucous, linear to linear-oblanceolate, measuring 1 to 8 centimeters long and 2.5 to 8 millimeters wide. The plant typically forms multiple rosettes in dense, cespitose clusters characteristic of its limestone habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species - high elevation limestone specialist with dense clustering
Habitat and range
Habitat: Limestone outcrops
Elevation: 1450-1600 m
Bloom period
Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 cymosa subsp. costifolia native to California?
Yes. Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia bloom?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia belong to?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia rare or endangered?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia grow in?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. costifolia grows in Limestone outcrops.
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.