Sedum japonicum

Sieb.

Crassulaceae Edible: Leaves Potential hazards — see below 769 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Evergreen perennial reaching 20 cm tall. Flowers July to August with seeds ripening August to September. Hermaphroditic and self-fertile, pollinated by insects. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acidic, neutral, or mildly alkaline pH. Requires full sun, cannot grow in shade. Adapts to both dry and moist conditions with good drought tolerance.

Description

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It is creeping. It has sterile shoots 2.4 cm long. Flowering shoots are slender and 10-20 cm long. The leaves are alternate and without stalks. They can be spoon shaped and 7-10 cm long by 2-3 mm wide.

Edible Uses

The leaves and stems can be eaten raw or cooked, though they need to be well-boiled.

Traditional Uses

The leaves are eaten with oil and salt.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Known Hazards

Although not poisonous, if large quantities of this plant are eaten it can cause a stomach upset.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist, shady places on slopes below 1,000 m above sea level in eastern China.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils but prefers a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position. Established plants are drought tolerant. Can be grown on a wall. Requires a sunny position. Hardy to about -15°c. A polymorphic species. All members of this genus are said to have edible leaves, though those species, such as this one, that have yellow flowers can cause stomach upsets if they are eaten in quantity. Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits.

Propagation

Surface sow seed in spring in well-drained soil in a sunny greenhouse position, keeping the soil moist. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough. Plant out during summer if growth is sufficient; otherwise overwinter in a cold frame or greenhouse and plant out in early summer the following year. Division can be carried out at almost any time in the growing season, though spring or early summer is best. Large divisions can go directly into permanent positions; smaller ones are best potted up and grown on in a lightly shaded cold frame until well established.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 400 Sedum species.

Synonyms

Sedum uniflorum japonicum

References (3)

Flora of China @ efloras.org Volume 8
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
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