Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa
Panamint dudleya, Panamint Dudleya
Photo: parent species Dudleya saxosa · (c) Grant Mullen, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa (Panamint dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by elevation, size, and flower branch shape.
Panamint dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the northern Death Mountains in the western Panamint Range on north-facing granitic or limestone slopes at elevations of 1,100 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from May to June, this succulent produces bright yellow flowers with red tinge, 9 to 12 millimeters long. Growing in compact rosettes 6 to 20 centimeters wide with a short stem 1 to 1.5 centimeters thick, it forms dense clusters of fleshy leaves. Its thick succulent leaves are 3 to 9 centimeters long, 3 to 15 millimeters wide, with a distinctive base 5 to 15 millimeters wide. The plant develops an inflorescence with a peduncle 5 to 20 centimeters long, bearing clusters of 2 to 9 flowers on three primary branches.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species - distinguished by elevation, size, and flower branch shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: N-facing, granitic or limestone slopes
Elevation: 1100-2200 m
Bloom period
Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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. saxosa native to California?
Yes. Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa bloom?
Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa belong to?
Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa rare or endangered?
Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa grow in?
Dudleya saxosa subsp. saxosa grows in N-facing, granitic or limestone slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.