Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by Broad ovate-deltate cliff dudleya; inflorescence radially asymmetric (pedicels turned to sun/away from cliff); NCoR-CaR-SN-CW.
Dudleya cymosa is a California native succulent found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, central Western Transverse Ranges, and southern Santa Monica Mountains on rocky outcrops and talus slopes at elevations of 100 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces bright yellow, orange, or red flowers in asymmetric radial clusters with pedicels turning toward or away from the sun. Growing with rosettes 3 to 10 centimeters wide and stems 1 to 3.5 centimeters wide, it forms low-spreading clusters with thick succulent characteristics. Its leaves are 3 to 17 centimeters long, ovate to oblanceolate, with broad bases and margins that fold upward, creating a distinctive tough and glaucous appearance. The plant's unique sun-tracking inflorescence and variable flower colors make it a striking feature of rocky mountain landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Broad ovate-deltate cliff dudleya; inflorescence radially asymmetric (pedicels turned to sun/away from cliff); NCoR-CaR-SN-CW.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky outcrops, talus slopes, less often shaded canyon slopes
Elevation: 100-2700 m
California counties: Tulare, Los Angeles, Inyo, Placer, Kern, Calaveras, Amador, Sierra, El Dorado, Humboldt, Monterey, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Mateo, Yolo, Yuba, Butte, Fresno, Lake, Napa, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Nevada, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, Tuolumne, Tehama, San Benito, Siskiyou, Contra Costa
Bloom period
Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa blooms May-Jul.
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. cymosa native to California?
Yes. Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa bloom?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa grow?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa occurs in Tulare, Los Angeles, Inyo, Placer, Kern, Calaveras, Amador, Sierra and other counties, at elevations of 100-2700 m.
What plant family does Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa belong to?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
What habitat does Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa grow in?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. cymosa grows in Rocky outcrops, talus slopes, less often shaded canyon slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.