Dudleya parva
Conejo dudleya
(c) Zack Abbey, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Threatened
Dudleya parva (Conejo dudleya) is a native California perennial in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by unique root structure and very restricted habitat.
Conejo dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Santa Monica Mountains in volcanic cliff and adjacent grassland habitats at elevations of 60 to 450 meters. Flowering from May to July, this succulent produces pale flowers with petals often red-flecked along the keel. Growing in small rosettes 1 to 6 centimeters wide with stems 2 to 7 millimeters thick, it forms distinctive clusters with roots that irregularly swell and narrow. Its pale bluish-green leaves are oblanceolate, 1.5 to 4 centimeters long, with a distinctive purple-red base that becomes papery when dry. The plant produces an inflorescence with peduncles 4 to 23 centimeters tall, featuring lower bracts 5 to 15 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species - unique root structure and very restricted habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: N-facing volcanic cliffs, adjacent grassland
Elevation: 60-450 m
Bloom period
Dudleya parva blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Threatened
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 parva native to California?
Yes. Dudleya parva is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya parva bloom?
Dudleya parva blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Dudleya parva belong to?
Dudleya parva is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya parva rare or endangered?
Dudleya parva carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Dudleya parva grow in?
Dudleya parva grows in N-facing volcanic cliffs, adjacent grassland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.