Sedum acre

Sedum acre
	In Niitvälja, Estonia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Saxifragales
Family:	Crassulaceae
Genus:	Sedum
Species:	S. acre
Binomial name
	Sedum acre; L.

Sedum acre, commonly known as the goldmoss stonecrop,^[1] mossy stonecrop,^[2] goldmoss sedum, biting stonecrop,^[3] and wallpepper, is a perennial flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae. It is native to Europe, northern and western Asia and North Africa, but is also naturalised in North America,^[4] Japan,^{[citation needed]} and New Zealand.^[5]

Description

The biting stonecrop is a tufted evergreen perennial that forms mat-like stands some 5 to 12 cm (2 to 5 in) tall. For much of the year, the stems are short, semi-prostrate and densely clad in leaves. At the flowering time in June and July, the stems lengthen and are erect, somewhat limp and often pinkish-brown with the leaves further apart. The leaves are alternate, fleshy and shortly cylindrical with a rounded tip. They are also sometimes tinged with red. The starry flowers form a three to six-flowered cyme. The calyx has five fleshy sepals fused at the base, the corolla consists of five regular bright yellow petals, there are ten stamens, a separate gynoecium and five pistils. The fruit consists of five united, many-seeded follicles. The leaves contain an acrid fluid that can cause skin rashes.^[6]

Habitat

Biting stonecrop is a low-growing plant that cannot compete with more vigorous, fast-growing species. It is specially adapted for growing on thin dry soils and can be found on dry grassland, shingle, beaches, drystone walls, dry banks, seashore rocks, roadside verges, wasteland and in sandy meadows near the sea.^[4]^[6]

Cultivation

Biting stonecrop spreads when allowed to do so, but is easily controlled, being shallow-rooted. It is used in hanging baskets and container gardens, as a trailing accent, in borders, or as groundcover. This plant grows as a creeping ground cover, often in dry sandy soil, but also in the cracks of masonry. It grows well in poor soils, sand, rock gardens, and rich garden soil, under a variety of light levels.

Biting stonecrop is said to have a peppery taste (hence the name "biting") and is sometimes used in herbal medicine. However, it is considered to be poisonous and consumption is discouraged.^[7]

References

^ NRCS. "Sedum acre". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 9 November 2015.
^ Dickinson, T.; Metsger, D.; Bull, J.; & Dickinson, R. (2004) ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario. Toronto:Royal Ontario Museum, p. 243.
^ David Chapman (2008). Exploring the Cornish Coast. Penzance: Alison Hodge. p. 44. ISBN 9780906720561.
^ ^a ^b Clapham, A. R.; Tutin, T. G.; Moore, David Moresby (1987). Flora of the British Isles. CUP Archive. p. 146.
^ "Sedum acre". New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Biting stonecrop: Sedum acre". NatureGate. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
^ "Biting stonecrop Sedum acre". Retrieved 2 August 2024.