Dudleya virens
Bright green dudleya
(c) Casey H. Richart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Dudleya virens (Bright green dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by variable characteristics across subspecies.
Bright green dudleya is a California native perennial found in coastal regions in rocky coastal bluffs and slopes. Flowering from April to June, this succulent produces white to pale yellow flowers with hints of red, often with rose or orange-brown keels, in delicate clusters. Growing in rosettes 4 to 25 centimeters wide with stems 1 to 8 centimeters tall, it forms dense, compact clusters. Its evergreen leaves are thick and glaucous, measuring 3 to 25 centimeters long and 15 to 30 millimeters wide, with an oblong shape that is slightly elliptic in cross-section. Some populations have subtly fragrant leaves, adding to the plant's distinctive coastal charm.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 22 sympatric species - variable characteristics across subspecies
Habitat and range
California counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Monterey
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 virens native to California?
Yes. Dudleya virens is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Dudleya virens grow?
Dudleya virens occurs in Los Angeles, Ventura, Monterey.
What plant family does Dudleya virens belong to?
Dudleya virens is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
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.