Sedum in our forest garden
Common Name: Ice Plant
Genus & Species: Hylotelephium spectabile (formerly Sedum spectabile) (Boreau) H.Ohba
Family: Crassulaceae
Other Names: Showy Stonecrop, Butterfly Stonecrop
Range and Habitat: In its native habitat in northern China and the Korean peninsular it grows in rocky cliffs and woodland edges. It is more likely to be encountered in cultivation however, with numerous named cultivars available. It is rare as a garden escape, although it has naturalised and considered invasive in some parts of the eastern and central United States including New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin and Louisiana.
It is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Thrives in sandy to gravelly soils of moderate to low fertility. It tolerates some light part shade in hot summer climates, but will produce weak floppy growth when grown in too much shade or in overly rich soils. Needs good soil drainage to perform well. Drought tolerant. Propagate by divisions in spring or stem cuttings in summer. Detached leaves can be rooted in soil to form new plants.
General ID: Growing to 45cm tall and broad, it is an herbaceous perennial with alternate, simple, toothed leaves on erect, unbranched stems. Both the leaves and the stems are succulent. The star-shaped pink flowers are borne in flat cymes 15cm across, in autumn. The leaves and stems are usually pale green, but cultivars exist with a rich reddish-purple colouration.
For food… The leaves make excellent succulent additions to a variety of dishes raw or cooked. They can be added to salads, stir fries, steamed, battered or in pickles and preserves. The taste is generally mild and agreeable, although some bitterness can be observed, especially in plants under stress.
For healing… The plant was listed in the ‘Barefoot Doctor’s Manual’ – itself an American translation of Chinese Paramedical Manual – as being used to reduce inflammation or fever. Presumably this has something to do with the cooling, emollient and mucilaginous textures of the plant when crushed. It is also listed as a depurative, having a purifying action on the body. It is also regarded as a sialogogue – promoting the production or excretion of saliva. It was allegedly used by the Romans to treat wounds, and in later times to treat internal ulcers, although given the native range of the species, this may in fact be a reference to related European species.
Ice plant in our rockery
In culture… The most common characteristic culturally is its use as a wildlife attractant (see below) although it is a popular cut-flower. In its native eastern Asia, it has been associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival due to its flowering time coinciding, but there is little beyond this. The species and the cultivar 'Brilliant’ have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It has allegedly been used in love divination.
The name Hylotelephium comes from Hylo- referring to woodland, and Telephium, thought to be named after a surgical term for an ulcer that was particularly difficult to cure. This in turn was named Telephus, an ancient king of Mysia and child of the legendary Herakles (Hercules) after who suffered from a spear wound that would not heal. The epithet spectabile is a reference to the showy nature of the flowers. The common name stonecrop is a reference to the ability of many plants of this family to thrive in rocky conditions. It has a whole host of common names in English, many of which are shared with similar species, including orpine, livelong, life-everlasting, live-forever, frog's-stomach, harping Johnny, midsummer-men, orphan John and witch's moneybags.
For wildlife… The Ice Plant is well known for being popular with a whole host of beneficial insects. Butterflies love it, especially the Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni), Peacock (Aglais io), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Comma (Polygonia c-album) and Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta). It is also very attractive to many species of hoverfly (Family Syrphidae) and both bumblebees (Bombus sp.) and honeybees (Apis mellifera). It does not suffer from many pests or diseases and is believed to be distasteful to rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
At FFPG… At FFPG Ice Plant can be found in the rockery area and in the forest garden.
Disclaimer:
This is intended for information only. FFPG, its staff, trustees and volunteers do not make any claim as to the safety or efficacy of plants listed for medicinal purposes and do not encourage the consumption or use of any of the plants listed herein. Anybody wishing to use plants for medicinal effect is advised to consult their medical professional.