Factsheet S55: Sedums – the stonecrops

The Sedums comprise over 300 species of usually succulent, annuals to perennial herbs and sub-shrubs from Northern temperate and tropical mountain regions. They all feature fleshy leaves, many of which have a long history of use, medicinal or edible.
Sedum anacampseros, S.spectabile (ice plant) and S.telephium (orpine) are sometimes given their own genus (Hylotelephium) as they are distinctively different from the other Sedums; they also have the nicest edible leaves. These species have robust, somewhat woody stems and thick fleshy roots. Hylotelephium contains other species not noted as directly useful hence not mentioned here.