Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum
Canyon creek or paradise stonecrop
Photo: parent species Sedum paradisum · (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum (Canyon creek or paradise stonecrop) is a native California perennial in the Crassulaceae family.
Canyon creek stonecrop is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in rocky regions at elevations of 200 to 2,100 meters in dry to mesic outcrops, rocky slopes, and lava flows. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces cream-colored to white flowers with occasional pink to orange bases, arranged in cylindrical clusters with 10 to 60 blossoms. Growing with stems 4 to 25 centimeters tall, it forms distinctive rosettes with gray, sometimes greenish or pinkish leaves that have a compact, architectural form. Its rosette leaves measure 13 to 50 millimeters long and 5 to 20 millimeters wide, with elongated upper stem leaves that contribute to its sculptural appearance. The fruit develops as follicles 9 to 10 millimeters long, with tiny seeds measuring 1 to 1.6 millimeters.
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry to mesic outcrops, rocky slopes, lava flows, not on serpentine
Elevation: 200-2100 m
Bloom period
Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum blooms Jun-Jul.
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 subsp. paradisum native to California?
Yes. Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum bloom?
Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum belong to?
Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Sedum.
Is Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum rare or endangered?
Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum grow in?
Sedum paradisum subsp. paradisum grows in dry to mesic outcrops, rocky slopes, lava flows, not 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 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.