This species is often treated as being in a more loosely defined definition of the genus Sedum as Sedum sieboldii Sweet ex Hook. We are following the treatment in the Flora of China[] and the Flora of N. America[] which treat the genus Sedum in a stricter sense and move various species from there into a number of other species, including Hylotelephium[].

Common Name: Misebaya

General Information

Hylotelephium sieboldii is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing from a cluster of slender, fleshy, carrot-shaped roots; the creeping to ascending stems are 10 - 30cm tall[, ].
The plant is grown commercially for use in 'green roof' systems - these are used to insulate buildings, provide wildlife habitats and to moderate the environment. It is also often 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

E. Asia - China (southwest Hubei), central and southern Japan

Habitat

Rocks on slopes[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.12 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Hylotelephium sieboldii is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c when dormant.[]
Hylotelephium species are generally very easily grown and tolerant plants that can succeed in most soils, though preferring a fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sunny position[, ]. The plants native habitat will often give further ideas on the plants needs, though established plants of most species are usually drought tolerant[].
This species is frequently grown as a pot plant in Japan[].
This species has reddish flowers[]. 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[, ].
Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

We have no specific mention of edibility for this species but, in general, the leaves of all members of this genus are edible, though not always very desirable[, ]. Some caution should be employed however, particularly if the plant has yellow flowers - see the notes above on toxicity[].

Medicinal

We have seen no specific reports on medicinal uses for this species, but Sedum species (including Hylotelephium and Phedimus) generally contain various medicinally active compounds including alkaloids, tannins, cyanogenic compounds and, in particular, a range of flavanoids with anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties Many Sedum species are used medicinally to treat pain and inflammation – in addition a poultice made from the crushed, succulent leaves and young stems can be applied topically to cuts, wounds, burns and various skin disorders[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is planted into 'green roof' and 'green wall' systems. These systems are incorporated into the structure of the building, providing habitats for wildlife as well as insulating the building and helping to improve the environment[]. The cultivar 'Variegatum' has been specifically mentioned. The main drawback for this species is that it dies down over the winter, although its dense root system still binds the soil and helps to provide insulation.

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.