Sedum spathulifolium
Hook.
Broadleaf stonecrop
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Summary
Source: WikipediaSedum spathulifolium is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae known by the common names broadleaf stonecrop, yellow stonecrop, and spoon-leaved stonecrop. An evergreen perennial, it is native to western North America from British Columbia to southern California, where it can be found often in shade in many types of rocky habitat in coastal and inland hills and mountains.
Description
A perennial herb. It grows 5-10 cm high and 25-50 cm wide. The leaves are fleshy and purple red. They are in a tightly packed rosette. These are unevenly coated with a waxy bloom. The flowers are star-shaped and bright yellow.
Edible Uses
The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and are best harvested before the plant flowers.
Medicinal Uses
The leaves are antihaemorrhoidal, galactogogue, and haemostatic. To stimulate milk flow in a nursing mother, the leaves can either be eaten or applied as a poultice of warmed leaves to the breasts. The juice of the leaves and stems can be rubbed over bleeding wounds to stop bleeding. A decoction of the stems has been drunk by women in the ninth month of pregnancy to ease childbirth. A decoction of the whole plant has been given to children as a treatment for constipation and used as a wash to soothe nervous and irritable babies. The plant is also used as a treatment for sore gums.
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 rocky places. It needs an open sunny position. It is resistant to drought. It is frost hardy. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.
Where It Grows
Australia, Canada, North America*, Tasmania, USA,
Cultivation
A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but prefers a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position. Tolerates some shade. Established plants are drought tolerant. Succeeds in poor soils and on walls. Hardy to at least -15°c. 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 consistently moist. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle. Plant out during summer if sufficient growth has been made, otherwise overwinter in a cold frame or greenhouse and plant out the following early summer. Division is straightforward at almost any point during the growing season, though spring or early summer is preferred. Larger 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, then planted out in summer.
Other Uses
Suitable as a ground cover plant in a sunny position, though weeding is required for the first year or so. Plants are best spaced about 30cm apart each way.
Notes
There are about 400 Sedum species.
Synonyms
References (5)
- Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1330
- Fl. bor.-amer. 1:227. 1834
- Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 289
- Joyce, D., 1998, The Garden Plant Selector. Ryland, Peters and Small. p 269
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
