Dudleya multicaulis
Many-stemmed dudleya
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Dudleya multicaulis (Many-stemmed dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by distinctive summer-deciduous cylindrical leaves.
Many-stemmed dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern coastal California in heavy clay soils and sandstone outcrops at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces distinctive yellow flowers with petals 5 to 9 millimeters long in delicate clusters. Growing in tight rosettes 2 to 6 centimeters wide with stems 1.5 to 5 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters with multiple stems. Its linear leaves are cylindrical, 4 to 15 centimeters long, with a striking purple-red base and sharply acute tips, appearing glaucous and deciduous in summer. The plant forms 1 to 4 rosettes with leaves that have a distinctive base 4 to 10 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species - distinctive summer-deciduous cylindrical leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Heavy, often clay soils, coastal plains, sandstone outcrops
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: San Diego, Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Kern, Butte, Ventura
Bloom period
Dudleya multicaulis blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 multicaulis native to California?
Yes. Dudleya multicaulis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya multicaulis bloom?
Dudleya multicaulis blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Dudleya multicaulis grow?
Dudleya multicaulis occurs in San Diego, Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Kern, Butte, Ventura, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Dudleya multicaulis belong to?
Dudleya multicaulis is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya multicaulis rare or endangered?
Dudleya multicaulis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
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.