This species is often treated as being in a more loosely defined definitition of the genus Sedum as Sedum kamtschaticum Fisch. 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 Phedimus[].

Common Name:

General Information

Phedimus kamtschaticus is a succulent, evergreen perennial plant growing from a woody rootstock; it produces a cluster of a few, mainly unbranched, ascending stems 15 - 40cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine, and also for use as an ingredient in skin preparations. It is grown commercially for use in 'green roof' systems, and is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a ground cover[].

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 - Russian Far east, northern China, northern Japan

Habitat

Rocky slopes; at elevations from 600 - 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Phedimus kamtschaticus is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -15°c when dormant[].
Grows best in a sunny position, but tolerates light shade[, , ]. Succeeds in most soils[] but prefers a moist, fertile well-drained soil[, ]. A very drought tolerant plant once established[, ], it can be grown in crevices on walls[].
This species is closely related to Phedimus hybridum[] and Phedimus aizoon[].
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[, ].
The flowers are very attractive to butterflies[].
Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves and stems - cooked[, , ].

Medicinal

The whole plant is anodyne and antiphlogistic. It stimulates the circulation[]. A decoction is used in the treatment of traumatic injuries, bleeding cuts, burns and poisonous snakebites[].
The fresh plant is crushed and applied externally to cuts, burns, traumatic injuries etc[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 30cm apart each way[]. Often used as a ground cover, though considered by some to have too open a habit for this[].
The plant is used on 'green roof' and 'green wall' systems in Korea. 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 'SG1' has been specifically mentioned[, ]

Other Uses

An extract of the plant is used in commercial skin preparations and antioxidants[].

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.