Sedum stenopetalum
Pursh
Wormleaf stonecrop
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(c) Dave Drum, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Dave Drum
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(c) Morgan Stickrod, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Morgan Stickrod
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(c) Jane Hartline, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jane Hartline
Summary
Source: WikipediaSedum stenopetalum, also known as wormleaf stonecrop or narrow-petaled stonecrop, is a species of flowering plant in the stonecrop family. It is native to western North America from British Columbia and Alberta to northern California to Wyoming. It can be found in many types of rocky habitat, such as cliffs, talus, and steep ridges. It is a succulent plant producing mats or clumps of lance-shaped, linear, or three-lobed leaves each under 2 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a short, erect array of one to many flowers with lance-shaped petals up to a centimeter long. The petals are yellow, sometimes with red veins.
Description
A herb that keeps growing from year to year. It grows in clumps. It grows 8-20 cm high. The stems are short, fleshy and succulent. The flowers are yellow and 1.3 cm across. They occur in a compact cluster. The fruit are small pods that occur in a group.
Edible Uses
The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and are best used when young.
Medicinal Uses
An infusion of the whole plant has been used in the treatment of venereal diseases.
Known Hazards
Although not poisonous, if large quantities of this plant are eaten it can cause a stomach upset.
Distribution
It grows in cracks in rocky places. They can survive frozen soils and drought.
Where It Grows
Canada, North America, Slovenia, USA,
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils but prefers a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position. Established plants are very drought tolerant, they grow well in dry soils and can be grown on a wall. Plants are viviparous, producing bulbils in their leaf axils at flowering time. 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. Bulbils can also be harvested in late summer and planted out immediately.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are about 400 Sedum species.
Synonyms
References (4)
- Cormack, R. G. H., 1967, Wild Flowers of Alberta. Commercial Printers Edmonton, Canada. p 134
- Fl. Amer. sept. 1:324. 1813-1814
- http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
