Sedum ternatum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SEE-dum ter-NAY-tum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Space plants 6 to 12 inches apart. The stems creep along the ground or over rocks, forming dense mats.
Although this plant is considered toxic, the stems and leaves, when very young and tender, may be eaten raw. Later, until they flower, they may be briefly cooked.
Habitat: Moist forests, coves, bottomlands, shaded rock outcrops
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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sedum
- Species:
- ternatum
- Family:
- Crassulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East Canada to North Central & EasternU.S.A
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Textural
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Succulent
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from May to July
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flower stalk branches into three curved or horizontal branches of white flowers, 4-5 petals with sharp points and 5 green sepals. Blooms from April to June.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Smooth
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Ovate
- Spatulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Flat or rounded leaves. Lower leaves are spatulate. Non-flowering stems have .5-1" flat, oval, medium green leaves arranged in whorls of three. Flower stems have smaller leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Arching stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
