Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by pale flower color and inland range diagnostic.
Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata is a California native perennial found in San Joaquin Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and southern coastal ranges on rocky outcrops and in canyons at elevations of 30 to 1,200 meters. Flowering from May to June, this succulent produces pale yellow-white to pale yellow-pink flowers in clusters with terminal branches 1 to 5 centimeters long. Growing with unbranched rosettes 4 to 11 centimeters wide and stems 1 to 2 centimeters wide, it forms discrete, solitary clusters. Its leaves are lance-oblong, 3 to 10 centimeters long and 5 to 20 millimeters wide, colored green to nearly white with a glaucous surface and acute tips. The plant's distinctive rosette structure and pale flowering clusters make it a notable succulent in its rocky canyon habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species, pale flower color and inland range diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Rocky outcrops, canyons
Elevation: 30-1200 m
California counties: San Benito, Kern, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Merced, Monterey, Alameda, Stanislaus
Bloom period
Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata blooms May-Jun.
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. paniculata native to California?
Yes. Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata bloom?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata grow?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata occurs in San Benito, Kern, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Merced, Monterey, Alameda and other counties, at elevations of 30-1200 m.
What plant family does Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata belong to?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
What habitat does Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata grow in?
Dudleya cymosa subsp. paniculata grows in Uncommon. Rocky outcrops, canyons.
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.