Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens
Marcescent dudleya, Marcescent Dudleya
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Threatened
Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens (Marcescent dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by small size and papery deciduous leaves diagnostic.
Marcescent dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the southern Santa Monica Mountains on shaded, rocky volcanic outcrops and slopes at elevations of 150 to 500 meters. Flowering from May to June, this succulent produces bright yellow flowers, sometimes with orange or red markings, in delicate inflorescences. Growing with small rosettes 0.5 to 4 centimeters wide and stems 2 to 10 millimeters thick, it forms compact clusters on rocky terrain. Its leaves are elliptic to elliptic-ovate, 1.5 to 4 centimeters long, with a distinctive papery texture when dry and a base that can have a purple-red wound. The rosettes are generally not clustered and become somewhat deciduous during summer months.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species, small size and papery deciduous leaves diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shaded, rocky volcanic outcrops and slopes
Elevation: 150-500 m
Bloom period
Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Threatened
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. marcescens native to California?
Yes. Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens bloom?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens belong to?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens rare or endangered?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens grow in?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. marcescens grows in Shaded, rocky volcanic outcrops and 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.