Sedum stenopetalum
Narrow leaf stonecrop
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Family: Crassulaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Sedum stenopetalum (Narrow leaf stonecrop) is a native California herb in the Crassulaceae family, recognized by distinctive vegetative bulblets and narrow sharp-tipped leaves.
Narrow leaf stonecrop is a California native perennial found in the northwestern California, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Francisco Bay Area, and Modoc Plateau regions in well-drained, rocky or gravelly soil at elevations of 1,400 to 2,600 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white or yellow flowers in clusters that are solitary or arranged in small raceme-like formations. Growing with slender stems 5 to 38 centimeters tall, it develops distinctive rosettes with leaves arranged in a dense spiral and often produces vegetative bulblets in leaf axils. Its leaves are narrowly lanceolate, 6 to 16 millimeters long, with proximal stem leaves becoming dried and scarious as they age, often developing a long midvein awn. The mature follicles spread 5 to 8 millimeters wide, with tiny seeds less than 1.4 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; distinctive vegetative bulblets and narrow sharp-tipped leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Well-drained, rocky or gravelly soil
Elevation: 1400-2600 m.
California counties: Tulare, Inyo, Modoc, El Dorado, Fresno, Siskiyou, Lassen, Humboldt, Mendocino, Nevada, Placer, Mariposa
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana.
Bloom period
Sedum stenopetalum blooms May-Aug.
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 stenopetalum native to California?
Yes. Sedum stenopetalum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sedum stenopetalum bloom?
Sedum stenopetalum blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Sedum stenopetalum grow?
Sedum stenopetalum occurs in Tulare, Inyo, Modoc, El Dorado, Fresno, Siskiyou, Lassen, Humboldt and other counties, at elevations of 1400-2600 m..
What plant family does Sedum stenopetalum belong to?
Sedum stenopetalum is in the Crassulaceae family, genus Sedum.
What habitat does Sedum stenopetalum grow in?
Sedum stenopetalum grows in Well-drained, rocky or gravelly soil.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sedum stenopetalum subsp. ciliosum — Pale wormleaf stonecrop
- Sedum stenopetalum subsp. stenopetalum — Yellow wormleaf stonecrop
- Sedum albomarginatum — Feather river stonecrop
- Sedum album — White stonecrop
- Sedum citrinum — Blue creek stonecrop
- Sedum divergens — Cascade stonecrop
- Aeonium arboreum var. arboreum — Canary Islands aeonium
- Aeonium haworthii — Haworth's aeonium
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.