Sedum citrinum
Blue creek stonecrop, Blue Creek Stonecrop
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Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Sedum citrinum (Blue creek stonecrop) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by distinctive deep yellow flowers and serpentine habitat.
Blue creek stonecrop is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in the southern Del Norte County in the Klamath Ranges on serpentine outcrops, rocky meadows, and talus slopes at elevations of 900 to 1,300 meters. Flowering in June, this plant produces deep yellow flowers with yellow or orange midveins in flat-topped clusters of 10 to 95 blossoms. Growing 5 to 28 centimeters tall with stout rhizomes and loose rosettes, it forms compact clusters in sunny sites. Its leaves are notably variable in color, ranging from green to gray-green, orange, red, or purple, with rosette leaves 10 to 31 millimeters long that are broadly or narrowly obovate and often have blunt or notched tips. The mature plant displays distinctive yellow petals with reddish bases that spread from a fused base, creating a vibrant display against its rocky serpentine habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; distinctive deep yellow flowers and serpentine habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gently sloping dry rocky meadows, flats, talus, scree, sunny outcrops, roadcuts, on serpentine
Elevation: 900-1300 m
Bloom period
Sedum citrinum 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 citrinum native to California?
Yes. Sedum citrinum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sedum citrinum bloom?
Sedum citrinum blooms Jun.
What plant family does Sedum citrinum belong to?
Sedum citrinum is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Sedum.
Is Sedum citrinum rare or endangered?
Sedum citrinum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Sedum citrinum grow in?
Sedum citrinum grows in Gently sloping dry rocky meadows, flats, talus, scree, sunny outcrops, roadcuts, on serpentine.
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.