The genus Sedum (sensu lato) is a large and diverse grouping of species. Various molecular studies since 1995 have indicated that many of these species would be better placed within segregate genera - a treatment that is not universally recognized. We have chosen to follow the Flora of China[] and Flora of N. America[] in recognizing these new genera. When the nomenclatural, biogeographic, and morphological data has become available for many other groupings within Sedum, it is likely that more new genera will be established - to date we have transferred a number of species to the genera Hylotelephium. Phedimus and Rhodeola[].

Common Name:

General Information

Sedum sediforme is an evergreen perennial plant producing a cluster of more or less woody stems that branch at the base; it produces non-flowering stems around 10cm tall which in their second or third year become flowering stems that can be 15 - 60cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

All species in the genus Sedum (including the closely allied genera such as Hylotelephium and Phedimus) have more or less edible leaves and young flowering stems, though they are not always totally desireable with several species having bitter, acrid or peppery flavours!
However, the plants contain various alkaloids including sedine and sedamine. These can sometimes cause gastric upsets, usually of a mild nature[]. This is most likely to happen with species that have yellow flowers, though eating large quantities of any species could be problematic[, ].

Botanical References

,

Range

Mediterranean - southern Europe, N. Africa from Morocco to Libya, W. Asia - Levant

Habitat

Rocks, walls and stony places, in grasslands, Maquis and open Pine forests, largely on calcareous soils and clay[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Sedum sediforme is not a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating occasional temperatures down to around -8°c when dormant[].
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[].
The plant is often grown as an ornamental, there are some named forms[].
A polymorphic plant, it is very variable in size[].
The plant has been known to live for at least 30 years in cultivation[].
The flowers of this species are straw-yellow to a greeny-white[]. All members of this genus are said to have edible leaves, though those species that have yellow flowers can cause stomach upsets if they are eaten in quantity[, ].
Species in this genus are often specially targeted by slugs[].
Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[].
The buds and young stems are eaten raw or pickled in salads[]

Medicinal

The plant is a traditional herbal medicine with particular efficacy against inflammatory and rheumatic diseases[].
Research has shown that the plant contains a range of medicinally active compounds, particularly flavonoids and that it has strong antioxidant activity. The plant has been recommended as a potentially effective treatment for gout[].

We have seen no specific reports for this species, but the crushed leaves of Sedum species can be used to make a poultice that can be applied topically to cuts, wounds, burns and various skin disorders[].

Agroforestry Uses:

This species is very tolerant of soils contaminated with copper. In soils with extremely high concentrations of copper it is able to accumulate the copper in its roots and retain healthy above-ground growth. Because the copper is retained in its roots, it is not a very effective plant for phytoremediation projects (since these depend on being able to remove the copper by removing the top growth). However, it is an ideal species, especially in dry climates, for acting as a pioneer species on heavily polluted land, increasing humus levels in the soil and improving conditions so that other plants are able to grow there[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring in well-drained soil in a sunny position in a greenhouse. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If sufficient growth is made, it is possible to plant them out during the summer, otherwise keep them in a cold-frame or greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in early summer of the following year[].
Division is very easy and can be carried out at almost any time in the growing season, though is probably best done in spring or early summer. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Most parts of the plant can produce new roots and develop into a new plant if separated from the parent plant[].