The genus Sedum (sensu lato) is a large and diverse grouping of species. Various molecular studies since 1995 have indicated that many of these species would be better placed within segregate genera - a treatment that is not universally recognized. We have chosen to follow the Flora of China[] and Flora of N. America[] in recognizing these new genera. When the nomenclatural, biogeographic, and morphological data has become available for many other groupings within Sedum, it is likely that more new genera will be established - to date we have transferred a number of species to the genera Hylotelephium. Phedimus and Rhodeola[].

Common Name: Common Stonecrop

General Information

Sedum acre is an evergreen perennial plant with a fibrous rootstock and a slender, creeping rhizome. It can form a loose clump or a dense mat of growth with sterile shoots 1 - 3cm tall and ascending flowering stems 4 - 15cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine, and also for use in commercial skin conditioners. It is grown commercially for use in 'green roof' systems in order to insulate buildings, provide wildlife habitats and moderate the environment, and is also sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a ground cover.
Sedum acre can be invasive and spread indefinitely, swamping out less vigorous neighbours[].

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[, ].
The sap can irritate the skin of some people[].

Botanical References

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Range

Eurasia - Norway to Spain, east to western Siberia, the Caucasus and Turkey; N. Africa - Morocco, Libya

Habitat

Dry sunny situations on rocks, roofs, walls etc, especially near the sea[, , ]. Often found on limestone hills, it avoids acid soils[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.05 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Sedum acre is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -25°c when dormant
A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils[] but prefers a sunny position in a fertile well-drained soil[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[]. Grows well on walls[].
Plants can be very aggressive and invasive, spreading freely at the roots[]. If clearing the plant from an area it is quite important to try and remove every part of the plant since even a small part of the stem, if left in the ground, can form roots and develop into a new plant[].
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[, ].
Species in this genus are often specially targeted by slugs[].
Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, ]. Rich in vitamin C, but it has a bitter acrid taste[, ]. The main interest in the edible qualities of this plant is as a survival food, since it grows wild in the driest deserts as well as in arctic conditions[]. Large quantities can cause stomach upsets[]. It is best to dry the leaves (which can be difficult because they are very fleshy) and then powder them and use them to add a peppery taste to foods[].
The leaves are dried and ground into a powder to make a spicy seasoning[].

Medicinal

The herb is astringent, hypotensive, laxative, rubefacient, vermifuge and vulnerary[, , , , ]. The sap of the green parts of the plant is considered to be poisonous, causing purging if teken internally. It has traditionally been applied to the cheeks to provoke blushing (it is the 'water of life' of some folk tales) - the freshly collected plants when applied to the skin can cause inflammation and blisters[].
The plant is considered to be a useful medicinal remedy by some herbalists, though others do not use it because of the violence of its operation when taken internally[, ].

One of its best uses is as an effective and harmless corn-remover, it can also be used to bring boils to a head, though this can also cause some local irritation[]. The bruised fresh plant is applied as a poultice to wounds and minor burns[], though some care should be exercised because the plant can cause blisters or skin irritations[].
The herb is difficult to dry and so is best used when fresh, it can be gathered at any time during the spring and summer[].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant[]. It is used in the treatment of piles and anal irritations[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant spreads aggressively and can be used for ground cover in a sunny position amongst plants tall enough not to be overrun by it. Many species of the stronger-growing bulbs such as lilies can grow successfully through it[].
The plant is grown in '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 'Octoberfest' has been specifically mentioned.

Other Uses

An extract of the plant is used as an ingredient in commercial skin conditioning preparations[].

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. It can also be sown in the autumn in a cold frame, some seed germinates immediately whilst others germinate in the spring. 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.