Sedum is the large
stonecrop genusIn biology, a genus is a taxonomic unit used in the classification of living and fossil organisms. The term comes from Latin genus "descent, family, type, gender" , cognate with – genos, "race, stock, kin" ..In addition, genus is a taxonomic rank in the hierarchy In biology, a genus (plural:...
of the
CrassulaceaeThe Crassulaceae, or orpine family, is a family of dicotyledons. They store water in their succulent leaves. They are found worldwide, but mostly occur in the Northern Hemisphere and southern Africa, typically in dry and/or cold areas where water may be scarce...
, representing about 400 species of leaf succulents, found throughout the northern hemisphere, varying from annual and creeping herbs to shrubs. The plants have water-storing leaves. The flowers usually have five petals, seldom four or six. There are typically twice as many
stamenThe stamen is the male organ of a flower. Each stamen generally has a stalk called the filament , and, on top of the filament, an anther , and pollen sacs,...
s as petals.
Well known European
Sedums are
Sedum acreSedum acre, the Goldmoss Stonecrop, Goldmoss Sedum, Biting Stonecrop or Wallpepper, is a perennial plant native to Europe, but also naturalised in North America. This plant grows as a creeping ground cover, often in dry sandy soil, but also in the cracks of masonry...
,
Sedum albumSedum album or White stonecrop, is a flowering plant of the genus Sedum in the family Crassulaceae. Sedum album is able to acclimate according to the environment...
,
Sedum dasyphyllum,
Sedum reflexumSedum reflexum or Sedum rupestre is a species of succulent plant of the genus Sedum. The plants are typically up to 10 cm high, resembling spruce branches, but with softer tissue...
(also known as
Sedum rupestre) and
Sedum hispanicum.
Many sedums are
cultivatedHorticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation. Some would say that horticulture is the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant...
as
gardenA garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form is known as a residential garden. Western gardens are almost universally...
plants, due to their interesting and attractive appearance and hardiness.
Sedum is the large
stonecrop genusIn biology, a genus is a taxonomic unit used in the classification of living and fossil organisms. The term comes from Latin genus "descent, family, type, gender" , cognate with – genos, "race, stock, kin" ..In addition, genus is a taxonomic rank in the hierarchy In biology, a genus (plural:...
of the
CrassulaceaeThe Crassulaceae, or orpine family, is a family of dicotyledons. They store water in their succulent leaves. They are found worldwide, but mostly occur in the Northern Hemisphere and southern Africa, typically in dry and/or cold areas where water may be scarce...
, representing about 400 species of leaf succulents, found throughout the northern hemisphere, varying from annual and creeping herbs to shrubs. The plants have water-storing leaves. The flowers usually have five petals, seldom four or six. There are typically twice as many
stamenThe stamen is the male organ of a flower. Each stamen generally has a stalk called the filament , and, on top of the filament, an anther , and pollen sacs,...
s as petals.
Well known European
Sedums are
Sedum acreSedum acre, the Goldmoss Stonecrop, Goldmoss Sedum, Biting Stonecrop or Wallpepper, is a perennial plant native to Europe, but also naturalised in North America. This plant grows as a creeping ground cover, often in dry sandy soil, but also in the cracks of masonry...
,
Sedum albumSedum album or White stonecrop, is a flowering plant of the genus Sedum in the family Crassulaceae. Sedum album is able to acclimate according to the environment...
,
Sedum dasyphyllum,
Sedum reflexumSedum reflexum or Sedum rupestre is a species of succulent plant of the genus Sedum. The plants are typically up to 10 cm high, resembling spruce branches, but with softer tissue...
(also known as
Sedum rupestre) and
Sedum hispanicum.
Many sedums are
cultivatedHorticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation. Some would say that horticulture is the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant...
as
gardenA garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form is known as a residential garden. Western gardens are almost universally...
plants, due to their interesting and attractive appearance and hardiness. The various species differ in their requirements; some are cold-hardy but do not tolerate heat, some require heat but do not tolerate cold.
Sedum species are used as food plants by the
larvaA larva is a young form of animal with indirect development, going through or undergoing metamorphosis ....
e of some
LepidopteraLepidoptera is an order of insects that includes moths and butterflies. It is one of the most speciose orders in the class Insecta, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
species including
Grey ChiThe Grey Chi is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout Europe.This species has grey forewings speckled with black markings which vary in intensity...
. In particular,
Sedum spathifolium is the host plant of the endangered
San Bruno elfin butterflyThe San Bruno elfin butterfly is a U.S. Federally listed endangered subspecies which inhabits rocky outcrops and cliffs in coastal scrub on the San Francisco peninsula...
of San Mateo County, California.
Edibility and toxicity
Sedum reflexum, known as "prickmadam," "stone orpine," or "crooked yellow stonecrop," is occasionally used as a salad leaf or
herbA herb is a plant that is valued for flavor, scent, or other qualities. Herbs are used in cooking, as medicines, and for spiritual purposes....
in
EuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally divided from Asia to its east by the water divide of the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains , and the Black Sea to the southeast...
(incl. the
United KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many small islands...
)
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Sedum+rupestre. It has a slightly
astringentAn astringent substance is a chemical that tends to shrink or constrict body tissues, usually locally after topical medicinal application. The word "astringent" derives from Latin adstringere, meaning "to bind fast"...
sour taste.
Sedum acre ("biting stonecrop") on the other hand contains high quantities of
piperidinePiperidine is an organic compound with the molecular formula
5NH. This heterocyclic amine consists of a six-membered ring containing five methylene units and one nitrogen atom...
alkaloidAlkaloids are naturally occurring chemical compounds containing basic nitrogen atoms. The name derives from the word alkaline and was used to describe any nitrogen-containing base. Alkaloids are produced by a large variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals and are part of...
s (namely (+)-sedridine, (-)-sedamine, sedinone and isopelletierine) which give it a sharp, peppery and acrid taste and make it somewhat toxic. Depending on the amount consumed, it may cause irritations of the
mucous membraneThe mucous membranes are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line various body cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs. It is at several places continuous with skin: at the nostrils, the...
s,
crampFor the heraldic device, see cramp ; for the band, see The CrampsCramps are unpleasant, often painful sensations caused by contraction or over-shortening of muscles...
s,
paralysisParalysis is the complete loss of muscle function for one or more muscle groups. Paralysis can cause loss of feeling or loss of mobility in the affected area.-Causes:Paralysis is most often caused by damage to the nervous system, especially the spinal cord...
, and respiratory paralysis. In
ancient GreeceAncient Greece is the civilisation belonging to the period of Greek history lasting from the Greek Dark Ages ca. 1100 BC and the Dorian invasion, to 146 BC and the Roman conquest of Greece after the Battle of Corinth. It is generally considered to be the seminal culture which provided the...
,
Sedum acre was used to treat
epilepsyEpilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures...
and skin disease, as well as inducing
miscarriageMiscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
.
Sedum roofing
Sedum can be used to provide a roof covering in
green roofA green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil, or a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. This does not refer to roofs which are merely colored green, as with green roof shingles...
s. They are preferred to
grassGrasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns...
for green roofs.
Species
- Sedum acre
Sedum acre, the Goldmoss Stonecrop, Goldmoss Sedum, Biting Stonecrop or Wallpepper, is a perennial plant native to Europe, but also naturalised in North America. This plant grows as a creeping ground cover, often in dry sandy soil, but also in the cracks of masonry...
(Wall-pepper, Goldmoss Sedum, Goldmoss Stonecrop, Biting Stonecrop)
- Sedum adolphii (Golden Sedum)
- Sedum aizoon (Aizoon Stonecrop)
- Sedum albomarginatum Clausen (Feather River Stonecrop)
- Sedum album
Sedum album or White stonecrop, is a flowering plant of the genus Sedum in the family Crassulaceae. Sedum album is able to acclimate according to the environment...
(White Stonecrop)
- Sedum allantoides
- Sedum allantoides var. goldii
- Sedum alpestre
- Sedum anacampseros (Love-restorer)
- Sedum anglicum (English Stonecrop)
- Sedum annuum (Annual Stonecrop)
- Sedum atratum
- Sedum australe
- Sedum burrito (Baby Burro's-tail)
- Sedum caeruleum
- Sedum caespitosum
- Sedum candollei
- Sedum cauticola
Sedum cauticola, commonly called Stonecrop, is a low growing carpet forming flowering plant of the genus Sedum in the family Crassulaceae....
- Sedum cepaea (Pink Stonecrop)
- Sedum cockerellii Britt. (Cockerell's Stonecrop)
- Sedum compressum
- Sedum confusum (Lesser Mexican-stonecrop)
- Sedum chazaroi P. Carrillo & J.A. Lomelí
- Sedum dasyphyllum (Thick-leaved Stonecrop)
- Sedum debile S. Wats. (Orpine Stonecrop, Weakstem Stonecrop)
- Sedum dendroideum Moc. & Sessé ex A. DC. (Tree Stonecrop)
- Sedum diffusum S. Watson
- Sedum divergens S. Wats. (Spreading Stonecrop)
- Sedum eastwoodiae (Britt.) Berger (Red Mountain Stonecrop)
- Sedum ellacombeanum (Stonecrop)
- Sedum ewersii
- Sedum fosterianum (Rock Stonecrop)
- Sedum furfuraceum
- Sedum glaucophyllum
Sedum glaucophyllum is a species of Sedum native to the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States from West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina....
Clausen (Cliff Stonecrop)
- Sedum havardii Rose (Havard's Stonecrop)
- Sedum hirsutum
- Sedum hispanicum (Spanish Stonecrop)
- Sedum hybridum (Hybrid Stonecrop)
- Sedum integrifolium (Entireleaf Stonecrop)
- Sedum iwarenge
- Sedum kamtschaticum Fisch. & C.A. Mey. (Orange Stonecrop, Kamschatka Stonecrop)
- Sedum kostovii
- Sedum kamtschaticum cv. 'Weihenstephaner Gold' (formerly Sedum floriferum)
- Sedum lanceolatum Torr. (Lance-leaf Stonecrop, Lanceleaf Stonecrop, Spearleaf Stonecrop)
- Sedum laxum (Britt.) Berger (Roseflower Stonecrop)
- Sedum leibergii Britt. (Leiberg Stonecrop)
- Sedum liebmannianum
- Sedum lineare
Sedum lineare also known as carpet sedum and needle stonecrop is a sedum originating in East Asia.It has been proposed as an ideal plant for the "greening" of flat-roofed buildings in Shanghai, China, due to factors such as its ability to tolerate cold and drought, little need for soil and its...
(Needle Stonecrop)
- Sedum lucidum
- Sedum lydium (Least Stonecrop)
- Sedum makinoi
- Sedum maximum
- Sedum mexicanum Britt. (Mexican Stonecrop)
- Sedum moranense (Red Stonecrop)
- Sedum moranense Kunth (Red Stonecrop)
- Sedum moranii Clausen (Rogue River Stonecrop)
- Sedum morganianum
Sedum morganianum is a succulent plant which is native to southern Mexico and Honduras...
(Donkey Tail, Burro Tail)
- Sedum nanifolium Fröd. (Dwarf Stonecrop)
- Sedum nevii Gray (Nevius' Stonecrop)
- Sedum niveum A. Davids. (Davidson's Stonecrop)
- Sedum nussbaumerianum
- Sedum nuttallianum Raf. (Yellow Stonecrop)
- Sedum oblanceolatum Clausen (Oblongleaf Stonecrop)
- Sedum obtusatum Gray (Sierra Stonecrop)
- Sedum obtusatum ssp. paradisum Denton (Paradise Stonecrop)
- Sedum ochroleucum
Sedum ochroleucum is a species of Sedum, native to Europe and Turkey....
Chaix (European Stonecrop)
- Sedum oreganum
Sedum oreganum is a species of succulent plant of the genus Sedum. It grows along the Pacific Coast of North America....
Nutt. (Oregon stonecrop)
- Sedum oregonense (S. Wats.) M.E. Peck (cream stonecrop)
- Sedum pachyphyllum
- Sedum pallescens
- Sedum palmeri
- Sedum paradisum Denton (Canyon Creek stonecrop)
- Sedum pinetorum Brandeg. (Pine City stonecrop)
- Sedum praealtum DC. (Greater Mexican stonecrop, Green Cockscomb)
- Sedum pulchellum Michx. (Widow's-cross)
- Sedum pusillum Michx. (granite Stonecrop)
- Sedum radiatum S. Wats. (Coast Range Stonecrop)
- Sedum reflexum
Sedum reflexum or Sedum rupestre is a species of succulent plant of the genus Sedum. The plants are typically up to 10 cm high, resembling spruce branches, but with softer tissue...
(Reflexed Stonecrop, Blue Stonecrop, Jenny's Stonecrop, Prick-madam)
- Sedum reptans
- Sedum rubrotinctum (Pork and Beans, Christmas Cheer, Jellybeans)
- Sedum rubrotinctum cv. 'Aurora'
- Sedum rupicola G.N. Jones (curvedleaf stonecrop)
- Sedum rupicolum G. N. Jones
- Sedum sarmentosum Bunge (stringy stonecrop)
- Sedum sediforme (pale stonecrop)
- Sedum sexangulare
Sedum sexangulare, also known as Tasteless Stonecrop, is a species of succulent plant of the genus Sedum. It is similar to Sedum acre, but has shorter and denser leaves. It gained the name for its characteristic six spirals of leaves....
(Tasteless Stonecrop)
- Sedum sieboldii (Siebold's stonecrop)
- Sedum smallii
- Sedum spathulifolium Hook. (Broadleaf Stonecrop, Colorado Stonecrop)
- Sedum spurium
Sedum spurium is a plant in the orpine family, Crassulaceae.-Description:Sedum spurium is a herbaceous plant with alternate, simple leaves, on creeping stems. The flowers are pink, borne in spring through fall....
(Caucasian Stonecrop, Dragon's Blood Sedum, Two-row Stonecrop)
- Sedum stahlii (Coral Beads)
- Sedum stellatum (Starry Stonecrop)
- Sedum stelliforme S. Wats. (Huachuca Mountain Stonecrop)
- Sedum stenopetalum Pursh (Wormleaf Stonecrop, Yellow Stonecrop)
- Sedum stoloniferum Gmel. (Lesser Caucasian Stonecrop, Stolon Stonecrop)
- Sedum ternatum
Sedum ternatum is the most widespread native Sedum species in eastern North America, commonly known as woodland stonecrop. It has white flowers, blooming April to May. It is commonly found on rocks, but also on the ground where winter leaf cover is absent. It adapts well to garden use.S...
Michx. (Woodland Stonecrop)
- Sedum takesimense
- Sedum torulosum
- Sedum uniflorum
- Sedum villosum (Hairy Stonecrop, Purple Stonecrop)
- Sedum weinbergii
- Sedum wrightii Gray (Wright's Stonecrop)
Dudleya is a genus of succulent perennials, consisting of about 45 species in southwest North America.The fleshy and glabrous leaves occur in basal rosettes, in colors generally ranging from green to gray. The inflorescences are on vertical or inclined stems up to a meter high, but usually much...
:
- Dudleya caespitosa
Dudleya caespitosa is a succulent plant known by several common names, including sealettuce, sand lettuce, and coast dudleya. It is endemic to California, where it grows along the coastline in the southern half of the state. This dudleya starts from a rosette up to 20 centimeters wide, containing...
(Sea Lettuce), formerly Sedum cotyledon
- Dudleya edulis
Dudleya edulis is a succulent plant known by the common name fingertips. This plant is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in rocky areas of the coastal and inland mountains. The fingertips is made up of an array of fleshy, snakelike leaves growing vertically from a...
(Fingertips), formerly Sedum edule
Now in HylotelephiumHylotelephium is a genus of family Crassulaceae. It includes about 33 species distributed in Asia, Europe, and North America.Species in the genus, formerly included in Sedum, are popular garden plants, known as "live-for-ever" or "orpine."...
:
- Hylotelephium spectabile
Hylotelephium spectabile is a plant in the stonecrop family, Crassulaceae. Its common names include showy stonecrop, ice plant, and butterfly stone crop.-Description:...
(Iceplant, Butterfly Stonecrop), formerly Sedum spectabile
- Hylotelephium telephioides
Hylotelephium telephioides is a plant in the stonecrop family, Crassulaceae. Its common names include Allegheny stonecrop and live-forever....
(Allegheny Stonecrop), formerly Sedum telephioides
- Hylotelephium telephium
Hylotelephium telephium is a succulent perennial plant of the family Crassulaceae native to Eurasia. The flowers are held in dense heads and can be reddish or yellowish-white...
(Orpine, Livelong, Witch's Moneybags), formerly Sedum carpaticum, Sedum fabaria or Sedum telephium
Now in RhodiolaRhodiola is a genus of perennial plants in the family Crassulaceae that resemble Sedum and other members of the family. Like sedums, Rhodiola species are often called stonecrops. Some authors merge Rhodiola into Sedum....
:
- Rhodiola rhodantha (rose crown, queen's crown), formerly Sedum rhodanthum
- Rhodiola rosea
Rhodiola rosea is a plant in the Crassulaceae family that grows in cold regions of the world. These include much of the Arctic, the mountains of Central Asia, the Rocky Mountains, and mountainous parts of Europe, such as the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathian Mountains, Scandinavia, Iceland, Great...
(Roseroot), formerly Sedum rosea, Sedum rhodiola or Sedum scopolii
External links