Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia
San gabriel river dudleya, San Gabriel River Dudleya
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia (San gabriel river dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by very specific location and broad leaves diagnostic.
San gabriel river dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the San Gabriel Mountains in Fish Canyon, Los Angeles County, on granitic slopes at elevations of 400 to 500 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces mustard-yellow flowers in radially symmetric inflorescences with erect peduncles 10 to 30 centimeters tall. Growing with rosettes 5 to 12 centimeters wide, it forms compact, few-leaved clusters that remain green even during drought conditions. Its leaves are 4 to 10 centimeters long, elliptic to spoon-shaped, generally glaucous with slightly acuminate tips, and measure 20 to 50 millimeters wide. The plant's distinctive inflorescence features 1 to 3 primary branches with 3 to 15 centimeters of terminal branches bearing 2 to 10 flowers.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species, very specific location and broad leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granitic slopes
Elevation: 400-500 m
Bloom period
Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia blooms Jun-Jul.
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. crebrifolia native to California?
Yes. Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia bloom?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia belong to?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia rare or endangered?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia grow in?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. crebrifolia grows in Granitic slopes.
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.