Dudleya variegata
Variegated dudleya, Variegated Dudleya
(c) James C. Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Dudleya variegata (Variegated dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by small size and simple flower arrangement.
Variegated dudleya is a rare California native perennial ranked 1B.2 by CNPS, found in southern Southern California Coast and southern Peninsula Ranges in San Diego County, growing on dry hillsides and mesas at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces yellow flowers in clusters with petals 5 to 8 millimeters long, emerging from small rosettes. Growing with short stems 1 to 3 centimeters tall and nearly spherical to oblong in shape, the plant forms 1 to 3 compact rosettes. Its deciduous leaves are oblanceolate to spoon-shaped, 1 to 7 centimeters long and 0.5 to 11 millimeters wide, with acute to obtuse tips. The plant's delicate yellow flowers and small rosette form make it a distinctive species of coastal and mesa environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species - small size and simple flower arrangement
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry hillsides, mesas
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Dudleya variegata blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 variegata native to California?
Yes. Dudleya variegata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya variegata bloom?
Dudleya variegata blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Dudleya variegata belong to?
Dudleya variegata is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya variegata rare or endangered?
Dudleya variegata carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Dudleya variegata grow in?
Dudleya variegata grows in Dry hillsides, mesas.
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.