Wormleaf Stonecrop
Sedum stenopetalum

Family: Crassulaceae

What it is like

Sedum stenopetalum is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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 and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Open rocky slopes and bluffs, rock crevices, in gravel and talus, also in grassland and sagebrush desert, usually in well-drained very dry places and often in ponderosa pine forests.

Western N. America - South Dakota to Alberta, Nebraska, Oregon and California.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - raw or cooked. Best used when young.

Medicine

Rating: 1

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

VD: Used in the treatment of venereal disease

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

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. Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits.

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. Bulbils harvested in late summer and planted out immediately.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

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

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

Sedum douglasii. basionym of: Amerosedum stenopetalum