Scientific Name
Sedum booleanum B.L. Turner
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Sedum
Etymology
The specific epithet "booleanum" (pronounced "um-BRAK-yoo-luh") honors George Boole Hinton (1882-1943), a member of the Hinton family, which includes three generations of plant collectors in Mexico.
Origin
Sedum booleanum is native to Mexico. It grows on gypsum hillsides at about 4,400 feet (1,340 m) above sea level in Nuevo Leon.
Description
Sedum booleanum is a bushy succulent with light blue-green, overlapping leaves usually stacked in 4 straight rows on upright stems. It can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall and 10 inches (25 cm) wide. The leaves are thick, fleshy, ovate, measuring up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in length and about 0.15 inches (0.4 cm) in width. They gradually become smaller towards the stem tips and soon become deciduous near the base of the stems.
The bright red flowers are unique for a Sedum and appear in terminal clusters in early summer.
How to Grow and Care for Sedum booleanum
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30°F (-1.1°C) to 50°F (10°C).
When growing Sedums, keep in mind that these plants need very little attention or care. They will thrive in conditions where many other plants thrive, but do just as well in less hospitable areas. They are ideal for that part of your yard that receives too much sun or too little water to support the growth of other plants. A common name for Sedum is Stonecrop because many gardeners joke that only stones need less care and live longer.
Sedum is easily planted. For shorter varieties, simply laying the plant on the ground where you want it to grow is usually enough to get it started there. They will send out roots from wherever the stem touches the ground and the root itself. If you would like to ensure that the plant starts growing there, you can add a very thin layer of soil over the plant.
For taller varieties, you can break off one of the stems and push it into the ground where you want to grow it. The stem will root very easily, and a new plant will be established in a season or two.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.
Links
- Back to genus Sedum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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