Sedum

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Sedum
Biting stonecrop, Sedum acre
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Sedum
L.
Species

Many, see text & Wikispecies for more.
Sedum acre
Sedum caeruleum
Sedum dendroideum
Sedum glaucophyllum
Sedum ochroleucum
Sedum reflexum
Sedum spathulifolium
Sedum stenopetalum
Sedum lanceolatum

Sedum is the large stonecrop genus of the Crassulaceae, 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 stamens as petals.

Well known European Sedums are Sedum acre, Sedum album, Sedum dasyphyllum, Sedum reflexum (also known as Sedum rupestre) and Sedum hispanicum.

Many sedums are cultivated as garden 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 larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Grey Chi. In particular, Sedum spathifolium is the host plant of the endangered San Bruno elfin butterfly of San Mateo County, California.

Contents

[edit] Edibility and toxicity

Sedum reflexum, known as "prickmadam," "stone orpine," or "crooked yellow stonecrop," is occasionally used as a salad leaf or herb in Europe (incl. the United Kingdom) [1]. It has a slightly astringent sour taste.

Sedum acre ("biting stonecrop") on the other hand contains high quantities of piperidine alkaloids (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 membranes, cramps, paralysis, and respiratory paralysis. In ancient Greece, Sedum acre was used to treat epilepsy and skin disease, as well as inducing miscarriage.

[edit] Sedum roofing

Sedum can be used to provide a roof covering in green roofs.[1] They are preferred to grass for green roofs.[2]

[edit] Species

Hylotelephium telephium ssp. maximum, formerly placed in Sedum

Now in Dudleya:

Now in Hylotelephium:

Now in Rhodiola:

[edit] References

  1. ^ Monterusso, M. A; Rowe, D. B., Rugh, C. L.. Establishment and persistence of Sedum spp. and native taxa for green roof applications. American Society for Horticultural Science. http://www.cababstractsplus.org/abstracts/Abstract.aspx?AcNo=20053080523. Retrieved 30 June 2009. 
  2. ^ "Green roof takes root at Eglinton West", Toronto Star, Aug 04, 2009, http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/675703 

[edit] External links

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sedum
Search Wikispecies Wikispecies has information related to: Sedum
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