Dudleya stolonifera
Laguna beach dudleya, Laguna Beach Dudleya
(c) James C. Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
Dudleya stolonifera (Laguna beach dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by unique stoloniferous habit and lime-green/red coloration.
Laguna beach dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native perennial found in the central Southern California coast region, specifically in the San Joaquin Hills of Orange County, on north-facing cliffs and outcrops at elevations below 250 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow flowers with delicate petals 10 to 11 millimeters long, forming clusters on slender peduncles. Growing with distinctive stoloniferous habit, it forms rosettes 1 to 10 centimeters wide with sturdy stems 1.5 to 3 centimeters thick. Its evergreen leaves are oblong-obovate, 3 to 7 centimeters long and 1.5 to 3 centimeters wide, displaying a lime-green color with reddish undersides and a short-acuminate tip. The plant's unique stoloniferous growth and distinctive leaf coloration make it a striking endemic species of the coastal Southern California landscape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species - unique stoloniferous habit and lime-green/red coloration
Habitat and range
Habitat: N-facing cliffs, outcrops
Elevation: < 250 m
Bloom period
Dudleya stolonifera blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · 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 stolonifera native to California?
Yes. Dudleya stolonifera is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya stolonifera bloom?
Dudleya stolonifera blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Dudleya stolonifera belong to?
Dudleya stolonifera is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya stolonifera rare or endangered?
Dudleya stolonifera carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Dudleya stolonifera grow in?
Dudleya stolonifera grows in N-facing cliffs, outcrops.
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.