aizoon stonecrop

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• aizoon stonecrop

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aizopsis aizoon
• Sedum aizoon
• Anacampseros aizoon

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Phedimus aizoon, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Saxifragales. Finally, it is a member of the family Crassulaceae and falls under the genus Phedimus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Moving towards the central part of the continent, it can also be found in Middle Europe. Specifically, this species is located within the borders of Austria. Furthermore, its range extends through the Czechia-Slovakia region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phedimus aizoon is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse and often challenging environmental landscapes. This species thrives in a wide array of habitats, ranging from open meadows and shrubberies to rugged mountain terrains. It exhibits a strong tolerance for varied substrates, colonizing both sandy soils and stony places, which suggests a robust ability to establish itself in nutrient-poor or unstable ground. Furthermore, its distribution extends to the margins of rivers, indicating an ability to navigate riparian zones, while its presence in both dry and moisture-adjacent settings highlights a versatile ecological niche.

Habitat :

meadows: dry, mountains, rivers, sand, shrubberies, stony places

Life history

The life history of Phedimus aizoon is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a chamaephyte, meaning its perennating buds are located close to the ground surface, often protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable conditions. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a low-growing life form enables the species to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche over extended periods.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Phemidus aizoon is characterized by a growth form consisting of a non-woody herb and forb. The plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, though it exhibits traits across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite and is terrestrial rather than epiphytic. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting, acting as a self-supporting climber without the need for obligatory or facultative attachment to other structures. The shoots maintain an erect orientation, with the plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 0.85 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.85 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phedimus aizoon is characterized by a specific metabolic and morphological framework designed for its environmental niche. The plant utilizes a CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) photosynthetic pathway, allowing it to efficiently manage gas exchange and water conservation. Morphologically, its foliage is defined by lanceolate leaf forms with entirely smooth margins. Furthermore, the plant lacks any defensive integumentary structures on its leaves, as it possesses neither leaf thorns nor leaf spines.

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

CAM

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phedimus aizoon is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that dictates its reproductive window. Based on observed phenological data, the flowering period is highly concentrated, with the flowering start occurring in June and the flowering end also concluding within the month of June. This brief, synchronized blooming period suggests a tightly regulated reproductive phase, which may be influenced by specific environmental triggers or pollinator availability during this mid-year interval.

Flowering time :

Jun

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Phedimus aizoon has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Flavonoid, Gallic acid, Hexadecanoic acid, Iriflophene.

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Gallic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Hexadecanoic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Iriflophene

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

PENTACOSANE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Phytosterols

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Triterpenes

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Vanillic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

quercetin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Phedimus aizoon has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Hemostatic.

Antioxidant

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Hemostatic

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Preparations