Sedum spathulifolium Hook.
broad-leaved stonecrop (broadleaf stonecrop)
Crassulaceae

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Gary Ansell     (Photo ID #13001)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Sedum spathulifolium
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from a stout rhizome and rootstock; stems ascending to erect, several, branched above, 5-22 cm tall, glabrous and glaucous.
Leaves:
Basal leaves in a rosette; stem leaves alternate, oblong to spoon-shaped or wedge-shaped, 0.5-2.5 cm long, succulent, flattened, broadest above the midlength and tapered to the base, strongly crowded, pale green to reddish in full sun, glaucous.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of terminal, flat-topped umbrella-shaped clusters; petals 5, bright yellow, 7-10 mm long, narrowly oblong-lanceolate but not long-pointed.
Fruits:
Follicles, erect but strongly spreading.
Notes:
Two weakly separated varieties occur in BC:

1. Rosette leaves lightly glaucous..................... var. spathulifolium.

1. Rosette leaves strongly glaucous.................... var. pruinosum (Britt.) Boivin

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Sedum spathulifolium

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
288 0 1990
Slope Gradient (%)
57 5 120

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

28 23 360
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
1 1 4
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
A
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
28
Modal BEC Zone Class
CDF

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

CDF(21), CWH(3), IDF(2)

Habitat and Range

Mesic coastal cliffs and forest openings in the lowland and montane zones; common in SW BC, known only from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands; S to CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Sedum spathulifolium var. pruinosum (Britton) B. Boivin