This species is often treated as being in a more loosely defined definition of the genus Sedum as Sedum telephium L. 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: Orpine

General Information

Hylotelephium telephium is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of stems 20 - 90cm tall from a short rootstock with a cluster of white, tuberous, carrotlike roots. Axillary buds, which are sometimes produced on the stem, can fall and take root[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine, and also for use as an ingredient in commercial skin conditioning preparations. It is planted in 'green roof' systems in order to insulated buildings and provide wildlife habitats, and is also often grown as an ornamental,

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

Throughout Europe except for parts of the Balkans, Ireland, Iceland and Sicily

Habitat

Hedge banks and the shady sides of damp woods[, , ]. Mostly sandy or solonetz soils, pine forests; as a weed in fields, among shrubs in forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.45 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera, Flies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Hylotelephium telephium is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -30°c when dormant[].
Succeeds in most soils so long as they are well-drained[, ] but prefers a fertile soil that is not too dry[]. Tolerates poor soils, thriving in sandy to gravelly soils of moderate to low fertility[, ]. Succeeds in most soils and is tolerant of quite deep shade[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[], they grow well in dry soils and can be grown in crevices on walls[].
Often grown as an ornamental, there are a number of named varieties.
This species has pink to red 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[, ].
The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies[].
Polymorphic, intergrading with Hylotelephium maximum where their ranges meet.
Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, , , , , ]. They have occasionally been used in salads[]. Young plant tops can be used in salads, older ones are cooked as a potherb[].

Root - raw or cooked[]. Very young roots can be used in salads, older roots are sliced and used in soups, stews etc[, ]. They can be boiled for 20 minutes and served with seasonings[].

Medicinal

The whole plant is astringent and cytostatic[, ]. It is a popular remedy for diarrhoea, stimulates the kidneys and has a reputation in the treatment of cancer[].
A poultice of the crushed leaves has been used in the treatment of boils and carbuncles[].

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 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

An extract of the whole plant is used as an ingredient in skin conditioning preparations[]. (As Sedum purpureum)

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.
Cuttings can be taken at almost any time in the growing season, though early in the season is probably best.