Sedum rubiginosum
Tedoc stonecrop
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Trevor Van Loon · licence
Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Sedum rubiginosum (Tedoc stonecrop) is a native California perennial in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by detailed morphological features available.
Tedoc stonecrop is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in rocky serpentine slopes at elevations of 1,300 to 1,500 meters. Flowering in June, this plant produces yellow flowers with orange, red, or pink highlights, creating delicate clusters in dense rosettes up to 18 centimeters long. Growing with glaucous stems 6 to 29 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in sunny locations with stems that can obscure the spaces between leaf clusters. Its leaves are distinctive, ranging from green to gray, orange, red, or purple, with oblanceolate to obovate shapes that are strongly flattened and 9 to 72 millimeters long. The plant's rosette leaves are larger than its stem leaves, with blunt or truncate tips that create a unique architectural form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; detailed morphological features available
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, talus, full sun or partial shade, on serpentine
Elevation: 1300-1500 m
Bloom period
Sedum rubiginosum 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 rubiginosum native to California?
Yes. Sedum rubiginosum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sedum rubiginosum bloom?
Sedum rubiginosum blooms Jun.
What plant family does Sedum rubiginosum belong to?
Sedum rubiginosum is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Sedum.
Is Sedum rubiginosum rare or endangered?
Sedum rubiginosum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Sedum rubiginosum grow in?
Sedum rubiginosum grows in Rocky slopes, talus, full sun or partial shade, 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.