Dudleya gnoma
Munchkin dudleya
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Dudleya gnoma (Munchkin dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by clearly distinguished by diminutive size.
Munchkin dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the northern Channel Islands on Santa Rosa Island, specifically on rocky slopes with shallow volcanic soils at elevations below 80 meters. Flowering from May to June, this succulent produces pale yellow to medium yellow flowers in small clusters with delicate petals 8 to 9 millimeters long. Growing in compact rosettes up to 10 centimeters wide, it forms 1 to 24 individual clusters with short stems 1.2 to 2 centimeters wide. Its distinctive leaves are triangular to triangular-ovate, white and glaucous, measuring 0.5 to 1.3 centimeters long and 0.6 to 2.5 centimeters wide, generally remaining dry but not fully deciduous in summer. The plant's unique compact form and pale yellow flowers make it a charming endemic species of Santa Rosa Island.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species - clearly distinguished by diminutive size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes with shallow volcanic soils
Elevation: < 80 m
California counties: Santa Barbara
Bloom period
Dudleya gnoma blooms May-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 gnoma native to California?
Yes. Dudleya gnoma is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya gnoma bloom?
Dudleya gnoma blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Dudleya gnoma grow?
Dudleya gnoma occurs in Santa Barbara, at elevations of < 80 m.
What plant family does Dudleya gnoma belong to?
Dudleya gnoma is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya gnoma rare or endangered?
Dudleya gnoma carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.