Stonecrop

Sedum, a large genus of plants, is commonly known as stonecrop because it often grows among stones. The word “sedum” originates from the Latin word sedo meaning ‘to sit’. This probably refers to their use as ground covers and the way they sit on rocks.

Stonecrop

Scientific classification Kingdom:Plantae

Clade:Tracheophytes

Clade:Angiosperms

Clade:Eudicots

Order:Saxifragales

Family:Crassulaceae

Subfamily:Sempervivoideae

Tribe:Sedeae

Genus:Sedum

For refresher on how to understand the scientific classification listing visit the previous blog

Understanding Plant Classification is a previous article written that will help your understanding

Description

Sedums are almost the perfect plants. Vigorous, carefree, good-looking, with a season of interest lasting more than 6 months, who could resist? Even the bees and butterflies can’t!

• Varieties: There are hundreds of types of sedums offering a wide array of colors and sizes. There are 3 main varieties: mat forming, creeping and upright sedums. The taller, upright-growing sedums, also called ‘border sedums’ belong to the Hylotelephium genus and mix very well with other plants in perennial borders. They provide color and contrast at a time when most plants have stopped blooming. They are particularly terrific with late-season bloomers such as asters, goldenrods, boltonias or ornamental grasses.
• Habitat: The plant can be found growing wild in almost all of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Today it’s a popular garden plant.
• Size:These standout perennials grow more or less erect, up to 2 ft. (60 cm), and form a clump of thick, fleshy sage green to blue to dark red foliage topped with flower buds resembling broccoli. Gradually, these densely clustered buds reveal tiny, star-like flowers, in shades of white, pink or red, in late summer or early fall. As the weather cools, their colors grow deeper and richer. 

• Foliage: Both foliage and dead inflorescences remain attractive through winter, providing some additional interest.
• Zone: Easy to grow, many sedums are hardy to USDA Zones 4 to 9. 
• Light: Best grown in full sun, in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates very light shade and poor soils.
• Pollination: Flowers are attractive to bees, hummingbirds and butterflies and excellent as cut flowers.
• Water: Because sedums are succulents, they can survive drought thanks to their fleshy, moisture-retaining leaves and tough root systems. Sedums are heat tolerant once established and disease resistant!
• Pests: Deer and rabbit resistant

. Maintenance, Low, Sedums forgive neglect!

Other Common Names: Common stonecrop, golden carpet sedum, wall-pepper, welcome home husband though never so drunk, gul fetknopp (Swedish), helluhnoðri (Icelandic), orpin âcre (French), Scharfer Mauerpfeffer (German), pampajarito (Spanish).

Health Benefits:

In traditional herbal medicine, the plant has often been regarded to have diuretic and laxative properties.

Additionally, it was used as an herbal remedy for diphtheria, ringworm, to trigger abortion, and also scurvy due to the high content of vitamin found in the plant.

The herb is known to be helpful to lower high blood pressure, but it should not be used as a blood pressure medicine.

When sedum acre is used topically the plant extract can work as a local anesthetic and increase blood flow to the skin.

The herb has been used to treat itchy rashes, ulcers and for the topical treatment of warts, pimples, acne dermatitis and corns.

The plant contains tannins, rutin (citrus flavonoid glycoside), several alkaloids, sedinon and sedridin and several organic acids.

Internal consumption of this herb is not recommended as it can cause headaches, lethargy, and vomiting.

Chewing on the fresh plant can cause corrosion in the oral cavity and a local anesthetic effect on the tongue.

Biting stonecrop is a herb that one should use with caution in self-medication. When used in pre-made skin care products the amount of the plant extract is usually so small that such products are safe to use.

Biting stonecrop has never been considered to play a big role in herbal medicine and even ancient literature warned against ingestion of the plant. It was, however, in the sixteenth century used as an ingredient in some remedies against intestinal parasites.

In 1830 it was mentioned as a possible cure for epilepsy but was rarely used for that purpose because of the plants irritating properties and harmful effects.

Three Benefits Of Stone Crop

On a recent invitational tour of our Eminence Certified Organic Farm in Hungary, Eminence Organics president, Boldijarre Koronczay shed light on the power of organic stone crop with DAYSPA’s Executive Editor, Lesley McCave:

“Not only does the stone crop plant help reduce pigmentation and lighten the complexion, it also assists in regeneration, firming stressed skin, toning the epidermis, moisturizing, helping reduce signs of aging and calming sensitive skin.”

Read on to learn about three benefits of stone crop that may surprise you:

1: Great For The Environment

Stone crop is often used on environmentally-friendly green roofs because the sturdy succulents rarely attract pests and are resistant to disease or weather conditions. They are easy to plant, don’t have a deep root system and thrive in a variety of environments.

On a hot summer day, a typical urban flat roof can reach temperatures in excess of 90°F – a major contributor to the heat island effect in cities. Green roofs, on the other hand, are much closer to the temperature of the outside air. They also absorb rainwater, so it doesn’t become stormwater which causes erosion and pollution. Green roofs are a beautiful way to take care of the earth.

2: Provides Food For Bees & Butterflies

The flowers of stone crop perennials are rich with sweet nectar, attracting bees, moths and butterflies. The colors range but are usually in the pastel family, adding a soft burst of color to your Gardenscapes. Flowers can remain on the plants well into early winter, adding dimension and interest to the succulents even as they dry. Growing stone crop is a wonderful way to nurture bees and butterflies for most of the year!

3: Removes Makeup and Unclog Pores

Want an easy and effective way to remove makeup and unclog pores? Watch Eminence Organics Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie use a technique called “gommage” by combining Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant with our Stone Crop Masque.

The gentle rolling, exfoliating action helps remove built up makeup and dead skin cells, revealing new, glowing skin underneath. Gommage unclogs pores, reducing the look of problem skin and leaving you with a silky-smooth finish.

#stonecrop #sedum