Scientific Family
Crassulaceae
Synonyms
Dudleya rusbyi, Echeveria rusbyi, Graptopetalum orpetii
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 14 inches
Riparian
No
Leaves and stems fleshy, succulent; plants often form small mats; rosettes of 10 to 50 leaves; brownish-red flower stems; flowers have 5 to 8 thin and lance-like deep reddish-brown petals with cream-colored white spots and stripes and yellow centers.
Fleshy, succulent leaves and stems, often form small mats; leaves deep green in dense, wrinkly rosettes; flowers on brownish-red stems, smaller leaves at their base, deep reddish-brown, cream-colored white spots and stripes, yellow centers.
Habitat
Open places among rocks, in rock crevices, especially on north slopes and on shaded cliffs.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Low elevation
1900
High elevation
5500
Flower Characteristics
Petals form a tube; clusters of pale flowers are cross-banded with dark reddish-brown and have yellow dots towards the center of the 5 to 8 lance-like petals; pistils not hollow near base, gradually narrow to styles.
Flower color
Reddish-brown, cream-white spots
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
May
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Densely tufted, basal rosettes of 10 to 50 leaves, 1 to 3 inches in diameter, blades green or reddish, 4-sided, tapering at the base, 1 to 2 inches long, tips with slender spine; margins rough with raised peg-like or club-like nodules (lumps).
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green or reddish
Leaf shape
Other
Leaf margin
Other
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
Yes
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Whorls of follicles (dry dehiscent fruit which splits on 1 side only), unripe follicles erect.
Fruit type
Other
Seeds 1 to 20 or more, brown, narrowly round, surfaces finely grooved with small nodules (lumps).