Sedum, commonly known as stonecrop, is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae (Orpine family). It contains around 400 species of leaf succulents that are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, varying from creeping herbs to shrubs. Sedums are hardy plants with fleshy leaves, and have a wide range of textures, habits, and sizes. Their star-shaped flower clusters are showy and often brightly colored. The flowers usually have five petals, and there are typically twice as many stamens as petals. While they do not take foot traffic, they are tough and have low maintenance requirements. They spread and take root easily from cuttings. Many thrive in full sun, but some like shade.
Sedums are well adapted to arid conditions because they use Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (also known as CAM) photosynthesis, which is a carbon fixation pathway present in some plants. CAM plants fix carbon dioxide (CO2) during the night, and release it during the day, increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis. The CAM pathway allows stomata to remain closed during the day, reducing evapotranspiration (the transfer of moisture from leaves to the atmosphere).
Because of their capacity to store water, survive drought, and grow in shallow media, sedums are well adapted for use on extensive green roofs for stormwater management and building insulation. The sedum-planted green roof on
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