CRASSULACEAE

STONECROP FAMILY

Annual to subshrubs, fleshy
Leaves generally simple, generally basal and cauline, alternate or opposite, generally reduced upward
Inflorescence: generally cyme, generally bracted
Flower: sepals generally 3–5, generally ± free; petals generally 3–5, ± free or fused; stamens = to >> sepals, free or epipetalous; pistils generally 3–5, simple (sometimes fused at base), ovary 1-chambered, placenta 1, parietal, ovules 1–many, style 1
Fruit: follicles generally 3–5
Seeds 1–many, small
Genera in family: ± 30 genera, ± 1500 species: ± worldwide, especially dry temp; many cultivated for ornamental. Family description and generic key by Melinda F. Denton and Reid Moran.

SEDUM

Melinda F. Denton

Generally per from rhizomes or stout, scaly caudex, generally glabrous
Leaves sessile, generally alternate, generally obovate to spoon-shaped
Inflorescence generally raceme- to panicle-like
Flower: sepals 4–5, free to fused below, < petals, obtuse to long-tapered; petals 4–5, free or fused below, erect to spreading; stamens 8 or 10, in 2 whorls, barely epipetalous; pistils 4–5, free or fused below,
Fruit erect or spreading
Seeds many, elliptic, often winged at both ends
Etymology: (Latin: to assuage, from healing properties of houseleek, to which Sedum was applied by some authors)
Reference: [Denton 1982 Brittonia 34:48–77]

Native

S. oblanceolatum R.T. Clausen

APPLEGATE STONECROP

Plant 7–14 cm, glabrous, strongly glaucous; rosettes 1–6 cm diam, internodes between leaves < 3 mm
Leaves obtuse to notched; rosette leaves 11–35 mm, widest 2–3 mm from tip, 2–3 mm thick; cauline leaves 7–13 mm
Inflorescence 1–5 cm, 7–50-flowered, generally flat-topped
Flower: petals 7–11 mm, obovate, slightly abruptly pointed, very pale yellow or cream; anthers yellow
Fruit 6–10 mm, erect
Seed 0.9–1.5 mm
Chromosomes: n=15
Ecology: Rocky slopes
Elevation: 400–2000 m.
Bioregional distribution: n Klamath Ranges (nw Siskiyou Co.)
Distribution outside California: sw Oregon
Horticultural information: In cultivation.