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: Wormleaf Stonecrop

General Information

Sedum stenopetalum is an evergreen annual to weakly perennial plant usually producing a cluster of branched, decumbent stems up to 15cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.

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 Colombia, Alberta, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon and California.

Habitat

Cliffs, talus slopes, rocky meadows, open woods, scab-land; from 300 - 3,100 metres[] (var stenopetalum). Ledges, shelves, steep slopes, and cliffs in gravel or thin soil over a variety of rocks; from 400 - 2,000 metres[] (var monanthum).

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Sedum stenopetalum is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to around -30°c when dormant[].
Succeeds in most soils[] but prefers a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[], they grow well in dry soils and can be grown on a wall[].
Plants are viviparous, producing bulbils in their leaf axils at flowering time[, ].
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. Best used when young[].

Medicinal

An infusion of the whole plant has been used in the treatment of venereal diseases[].

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.
Bulbils harvested in late summer and planted out immediately.