Sedum spurium

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Caucasian stonecrop
• false stonecrop
• two-row stonecrop

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anacampseros spuria
• Sedum ciliare
• Sedum denticulatum
• Sedum oppositifolium
• Sedum lazicum
• Anacampseros ciliaris
• Anacampseros dentata
• Sedum spurium
• Spathulata spuria
• Sedum dentatum
• Asterosedum spurium
• Sedum crenatum
• Phedimus crenatus
• Sedum congestum
• Crassula crenata
• Sedum spurium f. splendens
• Phedimus spurius subsp. oppositifolius
• Sedum involucratum
• Sedum spurium var. oppositifolium

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Saxifragales, it is further categorized into the family Crassulaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Phedimus, specifically the species Phedimus spurius.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Finland. Furthermore, its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. The species is also documented to inhabit the landscapes of Norway. Together, these locations define the primary northern range for Phedimus spurius.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phedimus spurius is characterized by its specific preference for lowland habitats, where it thrives within a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is typically found occupying an elevational range that begins at 2,600 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 3,000 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant adapts to the specific environmental conditions present in these high-altitude lowland zones, establishing itself within this specialized ecological bracket.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2600 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Phedimus spurius is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a chamaephyte, its life form is defined by having its buds located close to or just above the soil surface, which provides a structural advantage in its natural habitat. Furthermore, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and resilient throughout various environmental shifts.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Phedimus spurius is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and subshrub, exhibiting a self-supporting structure that does not function as a liana or vine. It is an independent species, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, and maintains a terrestrial habitat. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively small, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.06 m to a maximum of 0.2 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.125 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.125 m

Plant height min:

0.06 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phedimus spurius is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate or shaded environments. The plant is strictly non-carnivorous, relying entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than insectivory. Its foliar morphology is defined by a mean leaf width of 2.2 cm, a value that remains consistent across its minimum and maximum recorded widths of 2.2 cm. The leaves exhibit a maximum length of 2.6 cm and maintain a mean leaf size of 1.56 cm². Furthermore, the plant possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 127.9 cm²/g, a metric that reflects its leaf thickness and the efficiency of its resource allocation regarding light interception and biomass production.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

2.6 cm

Leaf size mean:

1.56 cm²

Leaf width mean:

2.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

127.9 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phedimus spurius is driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is absent in this species. The flowering period typically occurs during the summer months, beginning in July and concluding in August. The plant utilizes biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects for the transfer of pollen. During the reproductive cycle, self-fertilization is present, ensuring seed production. The resulting fruit is classified as a capsule, which is characterized by being dehiscence, meaning it opens at maturity to release its contents. The seeds produced are quite small, with a mean seed length of 1 mm (ranging from a minimum of 1 mm to a maximum of 1 mm) and a mean seed mass of 8.5e-05 g (with both minimum and maximum recorded values at 8e-05 g). Dispersal of these seeds follows an autochorous syndrome, where the plant utilizes its own mechanisms to distribute the seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

1 mm

Seed mass max:

8e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

8.5e-05 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Phedimus spurius has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Flavonol.

Flavonoid

1. Natural product communications

Flavonol

1. Natural product communications

Activities

Phedimus spurius has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Diuretic.

Antifungal

1. Natural product communications

Diuretic

1. Natural product communications