Scientific Name
Sedum furfuraceum Moran
Common Name(s)
Bonsai Sedum
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Sedum
Origin
This species is native to Mexico. It occurs in San Luis Potosí and Guanajuato, growing on rocks on pine-covered hillsides at elevations of about 6,890 feet (2,100 m).
Description
Sedum furfuraceum is a low-growing succulent with dark green egg-shaped leaves covered in scurfy whitish scales and arranged in tight whorls of five around prostrate to ascending, sparsely branching stems. It grows up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall, sprading slowly to 1 foot (30 cm) wide or more. Leaves are up to 0.45 inches (1.1 cm) long and 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) in diameter. They are often reddish-purple in bright light. The lower leaves turn a reddish-orange hue and later drop off to expose thick, twisted, gray-white stems. Flowers are whitish to purplish-red, star-shaped, 5-merous, appear solitary or in clusters of 3 at the end of the branches in early spring, and last for about ten days.
Etymology
The specific epithet "furfuraceum (fur-fur-AH-see-um)" means "scurfy," and refers to the scurfy coating on the leaves.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
When growing Sedum, keep in mind that plants need very little attention or care. They will thrive in conditions many other plants thrive in but do just as well in less hospitable areas. They are ideal for that part of your yard that gets too much sun or too little water to grow anything else. A common name for Sedum is Stonecrop because many gardeners joke that only stones need less care and live longer.
Sedum is easily planted. Simply laying the plant on the ground for shorter varieties where you want it to grow is usually enough to get the Sedum plant started there. They will send out roots from wherever the sttouchesing the ground and root itself. If you want to ensure that the plant will start there, you can add very thin soil covering 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.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sedum.
Hybrids
Links
- Back to genus Sedum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
