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:

General Information

Sedum sarmentosum is an evergreen, mat-forming perennial plant. It produces both sterile and flowering, creeping stems 10 - 25cm long that root at the nodes[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine and for commercial use as an ingredient in cosmetic preparations. It is occasionally cultivated as a medicine and food and is sold as a food in local markets in Korea[]; is used in 'green roof' plantings to insulate homes and provide wildlife habitats; and is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens[].

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

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Range

E. Asia - eastern China, Japan, Korea, northern Thailand.

Habitat

Shady places and rocks on slopes; at elevations up to 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Sedum sarmentosum is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -15°c when dormant[].
Succeeds in most soils[] but prefers a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
It is used and occasionally cultivated as a medicinal plant in Korea, China and Vietnam. It is under trail in North Korea as a vegetable crop[].
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

Young leaves and stems - raw or cooked[, ]. The older leaves are also palatable[]. Used as a vegetable[]. Used as 'namul' in Korea - this is a cooked side dish prepared by steaming or blanching the vegetables, placing them in small serving bowls with sesame oil seasoning and serving them at room temperature[].

Flowers[]. Used as 'namul' in Korea[].

Medicinal

The plant is used in the treatment of hepatitis. It is an effective antipyretic, detoxifier, reduces swelling and is used for draining pus. It is a good treatment in the early stages of liver cirrhosis and of infectious hepatitis, including acute hepatitis and chronic, progressive hepatitis[].

A cyanogenic glycoside 'sarmentosiin' is the active compound that leads to improved appetite and sleep, plus normalized SGPT within two weeks in chronic, persistent hepatitis patients[].

Agroforestry Uses:

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[].

Other Uses

An extract of the whole plant is used in cosmetic preparations as a humectant[].

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.