Horticulture/Sedum

Sedum, commonly known as rockcress, is a genus in the family ../Crassulaceae/, members of which are broadly referred to as stonecrops. The genus consists of about 400 species of leafy succulents, found primarily, but not exclusively, throughout the northern hemisphere, varying from annual groundcovers to shrubs.

Description
The plants have water-storing leaves and a typical form of blossom with five petals, seldom four or six. There are typically twice as many stamens as petals.

Growing conditions
Well drained soils. Many sedums are extensively cultivated as garden plants, due to their interesting and attractive appearance and hardiness. The various species differ in their requirements; some are cold-hardy but do not tolerate heat, some require heat but do not tolerate cold. They are preferred over grass for green roofs, popular in Germany and some other countries.

Species
Well known European Sedums are ../Sedum acre/, ../Sedum album/, ../Sedum dasyphyllum/, ../Sedum reflexum/ (also known as ../Sedum rupestre/) and ../Sedum hispanicum/.

Uses
Sedum reflexum, known as "stone orpine" or "crooked yellow stonecrop", is occasionally used as a salad leaf or herb in Europe (and the United Kingdom). It has a slightly astringent sour taste

Sedum acre ("biting stonecrop") on the other hand contains high quantities of piperidine alkaloids (namely (+)-sedridine, (-)-sedamine, sedinone and isopelletierine) which give it a sharp, peppery and acrid taste and make it somewhat toxic. Depending on the amount consumed, irritations of the mucous membranes, cramps and paralysis, including respiratory paralysis may ensue. In ancient Greece, biting stonecrop was used to treat epilepsy and skin diseases, as well as to cause abortions.

Pests and diseases
../Leaf Blotch/ ../Crown Rot/ ../Stem Rots/ ../Nematodes/ ../Aphids/ ../Scales/ ../Mealybugs/ ../Weevils/ ../Caterpillars/ ../Slugs and Snails/
 * Septoria sedi
 * ../Pellicularia rolfsii/
 * Colletotrichum
 * ../Phytophthora/
 * ../Pellicularia filamentosa/
 * ../Meliodgyne incognita/
 * Melon Aphid: ../Aphis gossypii/
 * Green Peach Aphid: ../Myzus persicae/
 * Greedy Scale: ../Hemiberlesia rapax/
 * Black Vine Weevil: ../Otiorhynchus sulcatus/
 * Variegated Fritilary: ../Euptoieta claudia/