Sedum paradisum
Paradise stonecrop, Canyon Creek Stonecrop
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Sedum paradisum (Paradise stonecrop) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family.
Paradise stonecrop is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the southeastern Klamath Ranges in Trinity County, growing on granite, meta-volcanic, and siltstone outcrops at elevations of 300 to 1,400 meters. Flowering in June, this plant produces white to cream flowers with hints of light yellow or pinkish bases, arranged in compact clusters 2.2 to 14 centimeters long. Growing with slender stems 4 to 25 centimeters tall, the plant forms dense rosettes with distinctive gray, blue-green, or pinkish leaves. Its rosette leaves are broadly obovate to oblanceolate, 10 to 50 millimeters long and 5 to 20 millimeters wide, with blunt or notched tips that often appear a flat gray or sometimes take on pinkish or greenish hues. The fruit consists of mature follicles 4.2 to 10 millimeters long, fused at the base and standing erect.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species; geographically isolated in southeastern Klamath Ranges
Habitat and range
Habitat: Granite outcrops, meta-volcanic outcrops, siltstone
Elevation: 300-1400 m.
California counties: Siskiyou, Trinity, Plumas, Shasta
Bloom period
Sedum paradisum blooms Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 paradisum native to California?
Yes. Sedum paradisum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sedum paradisum bloom?
Sedum paradisum blooms Jun.
Where in California does Sedum paradisum grow?
Sedum paradisum occurs in Siskiyou, Trinity, Plumas, Shasta, at elevations of 300-1400 m..
What plant family does Sedum paradisum belong to?
Sedum paradisum is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Sedum.
Is Sedum paradisum rare or endangered?
Sedum paradisum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.