Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides
Photo: parent species Dudleya saxosa · (c) Grant Mullen, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 3.2
Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by larger size and wavy flower branches.
Dudleya aloides is a rare (CNPS 3.2) California native perennial found in eastern San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, southern Mojave Desert, Desert Mountains, and Desert Son Diegan regions on rocky, shaded slopes at elevations of 240 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from April to June, this succulent produces bright yellow to green flowers with occasional red tints, ranging 8 to 15 millimeters long. Growing in tight rosettes 6 to 23 centimeters wide with stems 1 to 3 centimeters thick, it forms compact clusters on rocky terrain. Its thick, fleshy leaves measure 4 to 15 centimeters long, 6 to 25 millimeters wide, and 2 to 5 millimeters thick, spreading from a broad base 10 to 25 millimeters wide. The inflorescence features a tall peduncle 10 to 51 centimeters long with wavy terminal branches bearing 2 to 20 flowers.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species - distinguished by larger size and wavy flower branches
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky, shaded slopes
Elevation: 240-1700 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Kern, San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Inyo, Los Angeles
Outside California: expected northern Baja California
Bloom period
Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 3.2
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 saxosa subsp. aloides native to California?
Yes. Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides bloom?
Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides grow?
Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides occurs in San Bernardino, Kern, San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Inyo, Los Angeles, at elevations of 240-1700 m.
What plant family does Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides belong to?
Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides rare or endangered?
Dudleya saxosa subsp. aloides carries California Rare Plant Rank 3.2, state rank S2.
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.