XYellow Stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum)X
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Yellow Stonecrop -or- Orpine (Sedum lanceolatum), family Crassulaceae (Stonecrop)
Are you hungry? The immature flowers, stems, and leaves of this plant can be eaten raw. The stems of yellow stonecrop are fleshy with a marvelous color varigation. What pretty red shades mix with the yellow flowers. Also, the lovely star shape of the flowers makes them easy to identify. The genus hosts about 400 species.
A most unusual use of sedum is ROOFING. In New Foundland, green roofs are created by planting over waterproof medium. Sometimes this is done for the purpose of recreating Viking housing.
One of the species of sedum, Sedum acre, can be slightly toxic. WIKIPEDIA has this: 'Sedum acre ("biting stonecrop") on the other hand contains high quantities of piperidine alkaloids (namely (+)-sedridine, (-)-sedamine, sedinone and isopelletierine) which give it a sharp, peppery and acrid taste and make it somewhat toxic. Depending on the amount consumed, irritations of the mucous membranes, cramps and paralysis, including respiratory paralysis may ensue. In ancient Greece, biting stonecrop was used to treat epilepsy and skin diseases, as well as to cause abortions.' End quote.
The flower view in this frame was from a sighting at Silver Dollar Lake on a hike - August 4, 2014 - Colorado
USES: Native American Ethnobotany offers these records of plant uses by native americans: Okanagan-Colville - Infusion of stems, leaves and flowers taken to clean out the womb after childbirth. Infusion of stems, leaves and flowers taken or raw leaves chewed as a laxative. The Colorado State University Extension website mentions: young leaves can be eaten either raw or cooked.
Flower -
Plant location: These plants are widespread. We have seen many sightings of yellow stonecrop. These plants can be found on rocky dry slopes in foothill, montane, subapline, alpine habitats. They grow from Canada to New Mexico.
The plant view in this frame was from a sighting at Rollins Pass near the Moffat Tunnel - June 29, 2014 - Colorado
Plant -
Bloom period: Early to late summer. Flora of North America provides this very detailed technical description of lanceolatum leaves: (not easily detached), alternate, spreading-erect to erect or ascending, sessile; blade dull gray-green or bluish green, green, or reddish green, often glaucous, lanceolate, elliptic-lanceolate, or elliptic-ovate, subterete, 4.2-13 ? 1.5-3.5 mm, base very short-spurred, base of withered blade at times becoming scarious, apex obtuse or obtusely apiculate, (surfaces papillose).
The foliage view in this frame was from a sighting in the Rocky Mountain National Park - July 14, 2014 - Colorado
Foliage -
Silver Dollar Lake hike - August 4, 2014 - Colorado
The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. -
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Rocky Mountain National Park - July 14, 2014 - Colorado
Unopened buds hanging out with some very attractive friends. -
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Rocky Mountain National Park - July 14, 2014 - Colorado
Lanceolatum sports a beautiful look even before the blooms are opened. -
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Rocky Mountain National Park - July 14, 2014 - Colorado
These lanceolatum buds are even closer to opening. Stunning. -
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Rollins Pass near the Moffat Tunnel - June 29, 2014 - Colorado
A different plant view. These plants stood somewhat taller than average. There are two distinct varieties of sedum lanceolatum: var. lanceolatum, and var. nesioticum. We suspect that this specimen from Rollins may be the lanceolatum var. See an excellent illustration at Flora of North America of var. lanceolatum. -