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: Broadleaf Stonecrop

General Information

Sedum spathulifolium is an evergreen, mat-forming, perennial plant. The much-branched stems are rhizomatous, procumbent or creeping, the plant growing up to 5cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is sometimes 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

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Range

Western N. America - British Columbia, Washington, Oregon. California.

Habitat

Shaded situations and glades on cliffs and rocky slopes; at elevations from sea level to 1,600 metres[]. Coastal cliffs and ledges, or in the gravelly soil of the foothills[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.05 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Sedum spathulifolium i s hardy down to around -15°c[]
A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils[] but prefers a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[]. Tolerates some shade[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[]. Succeeds in poor soils and 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 sweetly fragrant[].
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. They are best used before the plant flowers[].

Medicinal

The leaves are antihaemorrhoidal, galactogogue and haemostatic[]. The leaves can be eaten, or a poultice of the warmed leaves applied to the breasts, in order to stimulate the milk flow of a nursing mother[]. The juice of the leaves and stems has been rubbed over bleeding wounds to stop the bleeding[].
A decoction of the stems has been drunk by a woman in the ninth month of her pregnancy in order to ease childbirth[].
A decoction of the whole plant has been given to children as a treatment for constipation and has been used as a wash to soothe nervous and irritable babies[]. The plant is used as a treatment for sore gums[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[]. It requires weeding for the first year or so[]. Plants are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[].

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. 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.