Sedella leiocarpa
Lake county stonecrop, Lake County Stonecrop
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Sedella leiocarpa (Lake county stonecrop) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by glabrous vs glandular fruits and petal characteristics.
Lake county stonecrop is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges Interior (Lake County) in dry vernal pools and rocky depressions at elevations of 500 to 600 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces pale yellow to yellow flowers with delicate red lines, narrow and lance-shaped, ascending in bloom. Growing with tiny ascending branches 1 to 3.5 centimeters tall, it forms a compact, diminutive plant with minimal branching. Its small leaves measure 2 to 4.5 millimeters long and approximately 1 to 2 millimeters wide, arranged closely on the plant's slender stems. The fruit develops 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long, appearing nearly erect with a slightly papillate surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are glabrous vs glandular fruits and petal characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry vernal pools, rocky depressions
Elevation: 500-600 m
Bloom period
Sedella leiocarpa blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
How to tell it apart
vs Sedum: Sedum is perennial; Sedella is annual and dies back completely each year.; vs Crassula: Crassula leaves clasp the stem at bases; Sedella leaf bases are free from stem.; vs Rhodiola: Rhodiola is a robust perennial with woody base; Sedella is a tiny annual herb.; vs Dudleya: Dudleya forms leaf rosettes; Sedella has leaves scattered up stems.; vs Aeonium: Aeonium forms large rosettes on woody stems; Sedella is a tiny annual with alternate leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sedella leiocarpa native to California?
Yes. Sedella leiocarpa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sedella leiocarpa bloom?
Sedella leiocarpa blooms Apr-May.
What plant family does Sedella leiocarpa belong to?
Sedella leiocarpa is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Sedella.
Is Sedella leiocarpa rare or endangered?
Sedella leiocarpa carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Sedella leiocarpa grow in?
Sedella leiocarpa grows in dry vernal pools, rocky depressions.
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.