Dudleya virens subsp. virens
Bright green dudleya, Bright Green Dudleya
Photo: parent species Dudleya virens · (c) Casey H. Richart, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Dudleya virens subsp. virens (Bright green dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by green non-waxy leaves and brittle dried stalks.
Bright green dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found on San Clemente Island in rocky coastal habitats and cliffs at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering from April to June, this succulent produces white flowers with occasional red to orange-brown keels, emerging from compact inflorescences. Growing in distinctive rosettes 5 to 10 centimeters wide with erect stems, the plant forms dense clusters of fleshy leaves. Its leaves are numerous—20 to 50 total—triangular-lanceolate and bright green, measuring 3 to 10 centimeters long and 7 to 16 millimeters wide, with an acute tip and a broad base. The plant's delicate peduncles, which can reach 46 centimeters long, are easily broken when dry, adding to its distinctive coastal adaptation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 12 sympatric species - green non-waxy leaves and brittle dried stalks
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocks, cliffs, coastal flats
Elevation: < 500 m
California counties: Ventura, Los Angeles
Bloom period
Dudleya virens subsp. virens 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 virens subsp. virens native to California?
Yes. Dudleya virens subsp. virens is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya virens subsp. virens bloom?
Dudleya virens subsp. virens blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Dudleya virens subsp. virens grow?
Dudleya virens subsp. virens occurs in Ventura, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 500 m.
What plant family does Dudleya virens subsp. virens belong to?
Dudleya virens subsp. virens is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya virens subsp. virens rare or endangered?
Dudleya virens subsp. virens carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Dudleya viscida — Sticky dudleya
- Dudleya abramsii — Abrams' dudleya
- Dudleya abramsii subsp. abramsii
- Dudleya abramsii subsp. affinis — San bernardino mountains dudleya
- Dudleya abramsii subsp. bettinae — Betty's dudleya
- Dudleya abramsii subsp. calcicola — Limestone dudleya
- Rhodiola integrifolia subsp. integrifolia — Western roseroot
- Rhodiola sp.
- Sedella leiocarpa — Lake county stonecrop
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.