Family: Crassulaceae
Sedum
Citation:
L., Sp. Pl. 430 (1753).
Derivation: Thought to be from Latin sedare, to soothe; the cool succulent leaves were used to soothe. Others derive the name from Latin sedere, to sit or hold fast; many species cling to rocks or walls.
Synonymy: Not Applicable Common name: Stonecrops.
Description:
Perennial shrubs, soft-wooded; leaves alternate, borne in terminal clusters.
Inflorescence a thyrse, usually with several dichasia each terminating in monochasial branches, rarely only monochasia; peduncle sometimes scape-like but with leaves gradually becoming shorter and more widely spaced below the inflorescence; flowers 5-8-merous; sepals connate, fleshy; petals usually scarcely connate to one another and the base of the filaments, spreading; stamens in 2 whorls of equal length.
Carpels free, each with numerous ovules; seeds with vertical ridges usually tuberculate.
Distribution:
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The biggest genus in the family with an estimated 300 species which are widely distributed mainly over the Northern Hemisphere.
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Biology:
No text
Key to Species:
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1. Leaves oblanceolate, 15-20 mm broad; flowers yellow |
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S. praealtum 1. |
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1. Leaves linear-elliptic, 2-3 (rarely to 4) mm broad; flowers cream |
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S. sediforme 2. |
Author:
Not yet available
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