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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Sedum obtusatum (Sierra stonecrop)
Vick, Albert F. W.

Sedum obtusatum

Sedum obtusatum A. Gray

Sierra Stonecrop, Sierra Sedum

Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SEOB

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Flowers in branched clusters atop reddish stalks growing from dense basal rosettes of succulent, often reddish-tinged leaves.

Sedum, from the Latin sedere ("to sit"), here refers to the tendency of many species to grow low to the ground. In all plants, open pores in the leaves let in carbon dioxide, to be used in photosynthesis. However, this allows stored water to escape, a critical problem in arid environments. In many succulents, including members of Sedum, water loss is reduced because their pores are open only at night; the carbon dioxide that enters is stored for use in daylight, when the pores are closed.

 

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Flowering shoots up to about 5 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Orange , Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Greenish or creamy white to yellow or pale orange, or pale orange tinged with pink.

Distribution

USA: CA , NV , OR
Native Distribution: Southern Oregon south to southern Sierra Nevada.
Native Habitat: Rocky slopes at moderate to high elevations.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Sedum obtusatum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Sedum obtusatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sedum obtusatum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-03-22
Research By: TWC Staff

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