Sedum albomarginatum
Feather river stonecrop
no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Sedum albomarginatum (Feather river stonecrop) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by distinctive waxy coating and flower color.
Feather river stonecrop is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Plumas and Butte counties on steep dry rocky slopes, sunny to partly shaded cliffs at elevations of 400 to 1,900 meters. Flowering in June, this plant produces pale yellow to greenish-yellow flowers 9 to 12 millimeters long with erose margins and acute tips. Growing 14 to 29 centimeters tall with stout short rhizomes, it forms dense rosettes with a distinctive white waxy coating that leaves a residue on fingers when handled. Its leaves are strongly flattened, oblanceolate, ranging 14 to 60 millimeters long and 5 to 18 millimeters wide, with rounded or slightly notched tips. The mature follicles are approximately 7 to 9 millimeters long and stand nearly erect.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinctive waxy coating and flower color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Steep dry rocky slopes, sunny to partly shaded cliffs, ledges, on serpentine or metasedimentary substrates
Elevation: 400-1900 m
California counties: Plumas, Butte
Bloom period
Sedum albomarginatum blooms Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Crassula: Sedum has flowers over 4mm wide; Crassula has tiny flowers typically under 3mm.; vs Aeonium: Sedum leaves have completely smooth edges; Aeonium has tiny hairs along leaf margins.; vs Dudleya: Sedum flowers cluster at stem tips; Dudleya flower stalks emerge from leaf axils on the side.; vs Echeveria: Sedum doesn't form tight rosettes; Echeveria grows in compact, symmetrical rosettes.; vs Sedella: Sedum is perennial with leaves over 1cm; Sedella is annual with tiny leaves under 1cm.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sedum albomarginatum native to California?
Yes. Sedum albomarginatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sedum albomarginatum bloom?
Sedum albomarginatum blooms Jun.
Where in California does Sedum albomarginatum grow?
Sedum albomarginatum occurs in Plumas, Butte, at elevations of 400-1900 m.
What plant family does Sedum albomarginatum belong to?
Sedum albomarginatum is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Sedum.
Is Sedum albomarginatum rare or endangered?
Sedum albomarginatum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.