The genus Rhodiola, treated here as distinct, is included in Sedum by some authors.
The plants treated here as Rhodiola integrifolia and Rhodiola rosea L., are part of a difficult polymorphic complex growing from the arctic to cool-temperate zones of North America and Eurasia, and also of high mountains further southward. Some authors have included them all in Rhodiola rosea [or Sedum rosea (L.) Scop.], often with subspecies or varieties[].

Common Name:

General Information

Rhodiola integrifolia is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of stems 3 - 15cm tall, occasionally to 50cm[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western N. America - Alaska and Yukon, south to California and New Mexico

Habitat

Cliffs and rocky slopes, alpine meadows, tundra; at elevations up to 2,000 metres, occasionally to 4,000 metres[].

Properties

Height	0.00 m
Self-fertile	No

Cultivation Details

Rhodiola integrifolia is an extremely cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -40°c when dormant[].
Prefers a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
This species has mostly dark red flowers, sometimes yellowish at the base[]. 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[, ].

Edible Uses

The plant is eaten fresh, soured or in oil[].

The root is used for food[].

The red plant tops are used to make a tea-like beverage[].

Medicinal

The roots are chewed and the juice spat out to treat sores in the mouth[].

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, and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in early summer of the following year.
Division in spring or early summer. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.