Broadleaf Stonecrop, Purdy's stonecrop, Yosemite stonecrop, Stonecrop, Blood Leaf Sedum
Sedum spathulifolium

Family: Crassulaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.

Sedum spathulifolium is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.1

Where it is found

Coastal cliffs and ledges, or in the gravelly soil of the foothills.

Western N. America - British Columbia to California.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - raw or cooked. They are best used before the plant flowers.

Medicine

Rating: 1

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.

Antihaemorrhoidal: Treats haemorrhoids (piles). This would probably be best added to another heading.

Birthing aid: Used in facilitating birth, but not just to cause uterine contrctions.

Galactogogue: Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.

Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Other

Rating: 3

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.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Container, Ground cover, Rock garden, Seashore. 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. Hardy to at least -15°c. 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. Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native.

Propagating it: 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.

Best place to grow: Ground Cover; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 6-10

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Although not poisonous, if large quantities of this plant are eaten it can cause a stomach upset.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

nomenclatural synonym: Gormania spathulifolia (Hook.) Á.Löve & D.Löve Taxon 34: 351. 1985