Dudleya palmeri
Palmer's dudleya, Palmer's Dudleya
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Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Dudleya palmeri (Palmer's dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by large size and distinctive orange-pink flower color.
Palmer's dudleya is a California native perennial found in coastal regions including central Coast, San Francisco Bay, and southern California coastal areas in rocky coastal and marine sandy habitats at elevations generally below 200 meters. Flowering from May to July, this succulent produces stunning orange-pink flowers with red over yellow coloration, creating a vibrant display in terminal clusters. Growing in rosettes 5 to 55 centimeters wide with stems up to 20 centimeters tall, it develops multiple compact clusters covered by dry leaves from older growth. Its evergreen leaves are lance-oblong, 15 to 25 per rosette, measuring 5 to 20 centimeters long and 1.5 to 5 centimeters wide, with a distinctive purple-red base and acute to acuminate tips. The rosettes feature thick, glaucous leaves that are flat or slightly convex, creating a striking architectural form in coastal landscapes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species - large size and distinctive orange-pink flower color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal rocky areas, inland marine sands
Elevation: generally < 200 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, Monterey
Bloom period
Dudleya palmeri blooms May-Jul.
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 palmeri native to California?
Yes. Dudleya palmeri is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya palmeri bloom?
Dudleya palmeri blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Dudleya palmeri grow?
Dudleya palmeri occurs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, Monterey, at elevations of generally < 200 m.
What plant family does Dudleya palmeri belong to?
Dudleya palmeri is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
What habitat does Dudleya palmeri grow in?
Dudleya palmeri grows in Coastal rocky areas, inland marine sands.
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.