Dudleya traskiae
Santa barbara island dudleya, Santa Barbara Island Dudleya
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
Dudleya traskiae (Santa barbara island dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by distinctive mustard-yellow flowers and extensive clustering.
Santa barbara island dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Channel Islands on steep slopes of Santa Barbara Island at elevations below 110 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces mustard-yellow flowers in clusters with petals 8 to 10.5 millimeters long, curved at the tips. Growing in rosettes 4 to 50 strong, with stems 1 to 3 centimeters wide, it forms compact clusters on rocky terrain. Its evergreen leaves are thick, glaucous, and oblong-oblanceolate, measuring 4 to 15 centimeters long and 1 to 4 centimeters wide with acute to acuminate tips. The rosettes emerge from a sturdy base, creating a distinctive succulent form typical of island environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species - distinctive mustard-yellow flowers and extensive clustering
Habitat and range
Habitat: Steep slopes
Elevation: < 110 m
Bloom period
Dudleya traskiae blooms May-Jul.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered
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 traskiae native to California?
Yes. Dudleya traskiae is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya traskiae bloom?
Dudleya traskiae blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Dudleya traskiae belong to?
Dudleya traskiae is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya traskiae rare or endangered?
Dudleya traskiae carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Dudleya traskiae grow in?
Dudleya traskiae grows in Steep 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.