Sedum pulchellum – Widow's Cross

Scientific Name

Sedum pulchellum Michx.

Common Names

Widow's Cross, Widowscross, Sea Star

Synonyms

Aectyson sagittatum, Chetyson vigilmontis, Sedum pulchrum, Sedum vigilimontis

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Sedum

Description

Sedum pulchellum is a stonecrop with ascending to spreading pink to light green stems that typically rise up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall. The leaves are alternate, smooth, stem-clasping, cylindrical, pale green to lime green, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and are densely arranged along the stem. Stem is topped by a horizontally branched cyme of tiny flowers which bloom in May to June. Each flower is up to 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) across and has 4 pink petals, 4 green sepals, 4 pistils and 8 stamens. Flowers are followed by dehiscent seed pods which develop in June and July.

How to Grow and Care

When growing Sedum, keep in mind that Sedum plants need very little attention or care. They will thrive in conditions that many other plants thrive in, but will 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, due to the fact that 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 normally enough to get the Sedum plant started there. They will send out roots from wherever the stem is touching the ground and root itself. If you would like to further ensure that the plant will start there, you can add a very thin covering of soil over the plant. For taller Sedum varieties, you can break off one of the stems and push it into the ground where you would like to grow it. The stem will root very easily and anew plant will be established in a season or two… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Sedum.

Origin

Native to calcareous areas of the South-Central and Southeastern United States.

Links

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