Throughout the months of spring, it is characterized by a bloom of small, bright-yellow flowers with 5 petals, tinged with orange or red.

It is a leaf succulent with a basal rosette, with the foliage withering in summer, going completely leafless, a neotenous trait in the genus.

[2] This species is endemic to the exposed volcanic rock of the Santa Monica Mountains in California, being found on shady slopes and outcroppings.

[4] Because of its restricted distribution and small size, it is vulnerable to habitat degradation and disturbance from acts of graffiti and rock climbers.

Moran notes that it is a very distinct subspecies, but it is in some respects similar to the local congener Dudleya cymosa subsp.

[7] This species is endemic to California in the United States, where it is found in the Santa Monica Mountains and Malibu Creek area.

Plants of this species are typically found on north-facing shaded slopes and outcroppings, growing with moss and lichens.

[2][3] The habitat of this species is threatened by growing degradation, and by disturbances caused from recreational activities, particularly in Malibu Creek State Park.