This species is often treated as being in a more loosely defined definitition of the genus Sedum as Sedum takesimense Nakai. 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 takesimensis is a succulent, perennial plant growing from a woody rootstock; it produces a cluster of a few, mainly unbranched, ascending stems 15 - 40cm tall. The plant is usually evergreen in areas with mild winters.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It has shown potential for use as an antibacterial to treat certain soil-borne diseases. The plant is used in 'green roof' systems to insulate buildings, ameliorate the environment and provide wildlife habitats, it is also 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 - South Korea

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Phedimus takesimensis is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -30°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[].
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

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

The plant is used medicinally in Korea.
Research has shown that the plant contains potent antiinflammatory and antibacterial compounds[]
The whole plant contains various medicinally active compounds that have cytotoxic properties and are of potential use in the treatment of cancer[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is grown as a ground cover and 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[]

Other Uses

A methanol extract of the plant has shown strong antioxidant activity against Ralstonia solanacearum, one of the most important soilborne plant-pathogenic bacteria. It causes a condition known as bacterial wilt, which is a common and serious disease that reduces the yield of tomato and many other crops in tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperature regions of the world[]. The compounds believed to be responsible for the antibacterial action are gallotannins[].

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.