Sedum (SEE-dum)
Crassulaceae
Relatives: Crassula, Kalanchoe, Sempervivum, Cotyledon
Sedum is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, members of which are commonly known as “stonecrops”. The genus has been described as containing up to 600 species, but after further study, it was more recently reduced to 400–500. They are leafy succulents found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, but extending into the southern hemisphere in Africa and South America. The plants vary from annuals and creeping herbs to shrubs. The plants have water-storing leaves and the flowers usually have five petals, seldom four or six. Sedum was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, with 15 species listed.