Dudleya viscida
Sticky dudleya
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Dudleya viscida (Sticky dudleya) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by unique sticky texture and resinous odor.
Sticky dudleya is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Southern California coastal regions including Orange and San Diego counties on rocky bluffs and coastal cliffs at elevations below 450 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces distinctive pink to white-pink flowers spreading from their middle, emerging from tall peduncles 15 to 70 centimeters long. Growing in dense clusters with rosettes 7 to 20 centimeters wide, it forms low-growing groups with multiple branches less than 3 centimeters apart. Its evergreen leaves are distinctively sticky and resinous, appearing oily, with elliptic to linear-deltate blades 6 to 15 centimeters long and 5 to 15 millimeters wide, tapering to an acute tip. The plant's compact growth and uniquely sticky, resinous leaves make it a remarkable coastal succulent species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species - unique sticky texture and resinous odor
Habitat and range
Habitat: Bluffs, rocky cliffs
Elevation: < 450 m
California counties: San Diego, Orange
Bloom period
Dudleya viscida blooms May-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 viscida native to California?
Yes. Dudleya viscida is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dudleya viscida bloom?
Dudleya viscida blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Dudleya viscida grow?
Dudleya viscida occurs in San Diego, Orange, at elevations of < 450 m.
What plant family does Dudleya viscida belong to?
Dudleya viscida is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Dudleya.
Is Dudleya viscida rare or endangered?
Dudleya viscida carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Dudleya abramsii subsp. murina — Mouse-gray dudleya
- Rhodiola integrifolia subsp. integrifolia — Western roseroot
- Rhodiola sp.
- Sedella leiocarpa — Lake county stonecrop
- Sedella pentandra — Mt. Hamilton mock 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.