Sedum acre
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SEE-dum AY-ker
- Description
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Sedum is a genus of succulent, herbaceous, evergreen, perennials with fleshy, flat or rounded leaves depending on the species. In general, the plant is upright and spreads along the ground. The genus has over 300 species, though many have been moved to the genus Hylotelephium. The genus name comes from the Latin word sedeo meaning to sit in reference to the habit of many of the sedums species to sit and sprawl over rocks.
S. acre, or Moss Stonecrop, is a small, hardy, highly salt tolerant, species of Sedum that, like many of its genus, tolerates only occassional foot traffic. The leaves tend to fall off easily; however, the fallen leaves can be used to propagate new plants. Some references describe this plant as mildly toxic if ingested, while others do not. The species is named for its acrid taste. In any event, stems and leaves may be eaten raw when very young and tender. As the stems and leaves age, but before the plants flower, the edible parts may still be eaten if they are briefly cooked. The sap can irritate the skin of some people and the leaves, eaten in quantity, can cause stomach upsets.
In nature, Moss Stonecrop is often found in sunny situations on limestone hills, rocks and walls, especially near the sea. It can be grown as a houseplant with bright direct light from a window or grow light. Use a coarse, well-drained soil, preferably a cactus mix. When grown outdoors, site for sun to part sun in well-drained soil. It seldom needs watering, but will grow in moist soils with good drainage. The plant tolerates maritime exposure, rocky and poor soils, and establishes itself quickly. The succulent leaves make it drought and dry soil tolerant. The plant is low to the ground, mat forming, and spreads aggressively and can be used for ground cover in a sunny position; although it can overwhelm other plants of similar height.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious diseases or insect problems, except for occasional slugs and snails. Avoid wet or poorly drained conditions.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Octoberfest'
Creamy white flowers.
- 'Octoberfest'
- 'Octoberfest'
- Tags:
















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Octoberfest'
Creamy white flowers.
- 'Octoberfest'
- 'Octoberfest'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sedum
- Species:
- acre
- Family:
- Crassulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Leaf Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Greenland, Eastern Europe to Mediterranean, Balkans and Caucasus
- Distribution:
- Britain, Canada, Eastern United States south to Carolina, upper mid-West, and Northwest.
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Textural
- Edibility:
- Stems and leaves can be eaten, but when ingested in large quantities, can cause stomach upset.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Dense
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, terminal clusters of tiny, star-shaped, five-petaled, yellow flowers (each to 1/2 inch across) bloom in flat terminal inflorescences just above the foliage June to July.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Thick cover of blunt, conical, pale green leaves (each to only 1/4 inch long). Leaves overlap like shingles.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- low, thick stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
- Salt