What plants are included in the Sedum family
An article about the plants in the Sedum family and a review of the top ten common Sedum succulents, with specific details as follows:
1. Adromischus genus
The plants are succulent herbs or subshrubs, with very short stems and often bearing reddish-brown aerial roots. The succulent leaves are alternate and have a long lifespan, with a high degree of succulence and a smooth surface. The flowers are small and usually pale. There are about 50 native species in this genus, originating from South Africa and Namibia. Representative species include Cooper's Adromischus, Large Adromischus, Bicolor Adromischus, and Chihshuiyu, etc.
(1) Cooper's Adromischus (A.cooperi)
Also known as Jinling Hall. Native to the Cape Province of South Africa, it has been introduced and cultivated in China in recent years. A small, highly succulent plant with a short, gray-brown stem. The leaves are basically oblong, with the lower part almost cylindrical, the upper part slightly wider and flatter, nearly ovate, 2.5-5 cm long and 1.2-2 cm wide. The leaf back is rounded, the front is relatively flat, the top edge is wavy, the epidermis is hairless and glossy, green with dark purple spots. The inflorescence is 2 cm high, the flower tube is cylindrical, 1 cm long, green on top and purple on bottom, the corolla is 5-lobed, purple with white edges.
It prefers a sunny and cool, dry environment and can also grow normally in semi-shade. It grows poorly in excessively shady conditions. During the hot summer, the plant's growth basically stops, and it is advisable to maintain ventilation, prevent exposure to strong sunlight, and be cautious with watering. In winter, it does not require high temperatures, with 7℃ being sufficient for normal growth. It should be watered moderately to keep the soil slightly moist and provided with ample sunlight. If water is restricted and the plant enters dormancy, it can tolerate a low temperature of 3℃. The potting soil can be mixed with leaf mold, some vermiculite, coarse sand, or perlite. Adding some wood ash and decomposed bone meal can improve the soil. Propagation is done by leaf insertion, placing the robust leaves flat on the substrate, which soon take root and sprout, but should not be transplanted too early.
Cooper's Adromischus has a small, delicate shape, unique leaf shape, and distinctive color. It has shallow roots and is suitable for planting in small, shallow pots to decorate window sills, tables, and desks, adding a unique charm.
2. Aeonium genus
Shrub-like, with stems that branch or do not branch. The succulent leaves are arranged in a rosette at the top of the stem, with hairy edges and surfaces. The raceme inflorescence is tall, and the entire plant dies after flowering. There are about 40 species in this genus, distributed in North Africa and the Canary Islands, etc. Representative species include Black Magic and Disk Aeonium, etc.
(1) Black Magic (A.arboreum ‘Atropurpureum’)
The original species Aeonium is native to the Canary Islands, and Black Magic is a cultivated variety of Aeonium. The stem is up to 1 meter tall with many branches. The leaves form a rosette at the top of the stem and branch tips, with a diameter of up to 20 cm, black-purple leaves that turn green in low light, with a small tip at the leaf end and ciliate hairs on the edge. The flowers form a large raceme inflorescence, small yellow flowers, and the whole plant dies after flowering.
It prefers a warm, dry, and sunny environment, is drought-tolerant, not cold-tolerant, and slightly shade-tolerant. It can be planted in fertile soil with good drainage and aeration, growing in cool seasons and dormant in summer but not for long. Propagation can be done by cutting the rosette disc for insertion in early spring, and the remaining stem will produce many suckers.
Black Magic has an elegant shape, with black-purple leaves at the top of the branches, resembling a blooming dark chrysanthemum. It is a beautiful and special cultivated variety that can be grown in ordinary homes. Especially when combined with other Sedum succulents to create a盆景, its ornamental value is greatly enhanced.
Black Magic
(2) Disk Aeonium (A.tabulaeforme)
Also known as Mirror. Native to the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The plant is low-growing, with a rosette leaf disc that can grow up to 50 cm, made up of 100-200 leaves tightly arranged. The leaves are sessile, all horizontal, spatulate, grass-green, with ciliate hairs on the edges, the entire leaf disc is as flat as a mirror with no gaps, and due to the slightly darker outer leaves and smaller inner leaves, the mirror-like leaf disc looks like a perfectly exquisite geometric pattern, breathtaking. When flowering, the leaves in the center of the leaf disc gradually detach and become alternate, and a cylindrical flower stalk begins to develop in the center, eventually forming a huge 60 cm high inflorescence with small yellow flowers, and the whole plant dies after flowering.
It prefers a cool environment, with the growth period from autumn to spring. It requires fertile soil with good drainage and aeration, a large pot is better than a small one, and plenty of light. It is best to maintain above 10℃ in winter, and if below this temperature, watering should be restricted. Fertilization should be nitrogen-based. Flowering should be prevented, and if there is any sign of the growth point elongating, it should be pinched off to force the production of side buds for propagation.
Disk Aeonium
3. Cotyledon genus
Multi-branched, succulent, dwarf shrubs. Leaves are opposite, with hairy or waxy surfaces. Bell-shaped flowers, bright in color. There are about 65 species in this genus, produced in the Arabian Peninsula, South Africa, and Namibia, etc. Representative species include Dinter's Cotyledon, etc.
(1) Dinter's Cotyledon (C.orbiculatavar. dinteri)
Also known as Fuyang. Native to Namibia. A branching succulent shrub. The leaves are approximately club-shaped, 4.5 cm long, 2 cm wide and thick, gray-green with white powder, the tip and edge of the leaves are brown, leaves are opposite. The inflorescence is 70 cm high, with pendant small flowers, red or yellow-red.
This species has unique leaf shapes and beautiful leaf colors, is easy to cultivate, and is especially suitable for home cultivation.
The growing period is long but mainly in spring and autumn, with winter temperatures maintained at 5℃. The culture soil should be fertile and well-drained. It should be fully exposed to light except during the midsummer period. Propagation is done by cutting.
Sedum family plants
Dinter's Cotyledon flowers
4. Crassula genus
The second largest genus in the family, with about 250-300 species distributed worldwide. The plants are herbs or shrubs with various shapes and sizes of succulent leaves, opposite or alternate. The cymose inflorescence has small white, yellow, or pink flowers. Generally, only the small,矮 species native to South Africa are cultivated as succulents. Representative species include Semi-starry Maiden, etc.
(1) Semi-starry Maiden (C.brevifolia)
Native to the Cape Province of South Africa. The whole plant is hairless, with a height of 20 cm in the wild but much shorter in cultivation. Many branches originate from the base, with stems and branches initially white and succulent, later turning brown, and the lower part hollow. The leaves are sessile, alternating, 1 cm long, 0.6 cm wide and thick, the front flat and the back rounded like a hemisphere, hard and succulent. The leaf edges are yellow-green.
Semi-starry Maiden
This species has miniature stems and leaves, with unique leaf shapes and pleasing colors, making it a good material for home miniature盆景. Watering should be moderate in summer, and the rest of the year is easy to cultivate. It prefers sunlight but can also tolerate semi-shade. Regular pruning and cutting are recommended, as old stems easily become hollow and cause leaf wilt.
5. Echeveria genus
Dwarf rosette-like succulents with erect stems and lateral蝎尾状 cymose inflorescences, beautiful flowers. The plant weakens after flowering but does not die, and recovers in autumn. There are about 160 species in this genus, produced in Mexico and Central America. Representative species include Beautiful Echeveria and Jinshi Swing, etc.
(1) Beautiful Echeveria (E.elegans)
Also known as Moon Shadow, Elegant Echeveria. Native to Mexico. Stemless, with old plants clustering. The rosette leaf disc has many leaves, closely arranged. The ovate leaves have a thick tip, new leaves with a small tip. 3-6 cm long, blue-green with white powder, the leaf color is darker, the edges slightly red. The inflorescence is 10-15 cm high, the tip curved, small bell-shaped flowers, 1-1.2 cm long, yellow.
This species has an elegant and compact shape, easy to cluster, and is an ideal type for indoor potting.
Beautiful Echeveria
Cultivation is relatively easy, with no excessive watering in summer. The growth is slow, so the soil does not need to contain too much fertilizer. It is relatively cold-tolerant in winter. Early spring is the most beautiful season for this species and a good time for propagation. Taking robust leaves and placing them flat will quickly take root and sprout, but it takes a long time to grow into an independent plant.
(2) Jinshi Swing (E.setosa)
Native to Mexico. The rosette leaf disc is stemless, with old plants easily clustering. The large rosette leaf disc is composed of more than 100 leaves. The leaves are 5-7 cm long, 2 cm wide, narrow at the base, the tip ovate and thick, the front slightly concave, the back convex, with a small blunt tip at the leaf end. The leaves are green, with the tip slightly reddish-brown, covered with 0.3 cm long white hair. The inflorescence is 20-30 cm high, with many small yellow-red flowers.
It prefers plenty of light, with relatively simple cultivation. In addition to ensuring ventilation and saving water in summer, it is not suitable to water from the top. Propagation is done by cutting the basal buds for insertion or by sowing. Leaf insertion propagation is more difficult.