Dudleya densiflora
San gabriel mountains dudleya, San Gabriel Mountains Dudleya
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Dudleya densiflora (San gabriel mountains dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by distinctive white waxy coating diagnostic.
San gabriel mountains dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the Los Angeles County Mountains on steep canyon walls at elevations of 300 to 520 meters. Flowering in June, this plant produces white or pink flowers in clusters with petals 5 to 10 millimeters long. Growing in dense clusters less than 3 centimeters between branches, it forms rosettes 7 to 25 centimeters wide with upright stems 1 to 2.5 centimeters thick. Its distinctive evergreen leaves are 6 to 15 centimeters long, nearly cylindrical, covered in white powdery wax that gives the plant a pale appearance, with bases tinged yellow and sharp tips. The plant's fruit is distinctively positioned at a 45 to 80 degree angle and appears strongly swollen near its base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species, distinctive white waxy coating diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Steep canyon walls
Elevation: 300-520 m
Bloom period
Dudleya densiflora blooms Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 densiflora native to California?
Yes. Dudleya densiflora is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya densiflora bloom?
Dudleya densiflora blooms Jun.
What plant family does Dudleya densiflora belong to?
Dudleya densiflora is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya densiflora rare or endangered?
Dudleya densiflora carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S2.
What habitat does Dudleya densiflora grow in?
Dudleya densiflora grows in Steep canyon walls.
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.