Stringy Stonecrop

Sedum angustifolium, in its protologue (in Z. B. Hu et al., Acta Phytotax Sin. 19: 311. 1981), was separated from S. sarmentosum primarily by having narrower leaves and a different chemical profile, but the described morphology falls within the range of the latter species as recognized here.

Sedum sarmentosum is used medicinally, as an ornamental, and sometimes as a vegetable.

Herbs perennial. Sterile and flowering stems creeping and rooting at nodes toward inflorescences, slender, 10-25 cm. Leaves 3-verticillate; leaf blade oblanceolate to oblong, 1.5-2.8 × 0.3-0.7 cm, base abruptly narrowed and spurred, apex subacute. Cyme 3-5-branched, corymbiform, 5-6 cm diam., few flowered. Flowers sessile, unequally 5-merous. Sepals lanceolate to oblong, 3.5-5 mm, base spurless, apex obtuse. Petals yellow, lanceolate to oblong, 5-8 mm, apex ± long mucronate. Stamens 10, shorter than petals. Nectar scales cuneate-quadrangular, ca. 0.5 mm, apex subemarginate. Carpels divergent, oblong, 5-6 mm. Styles long. Seeds ovoid, ca. 0.5 mm. Fl. May-Jul, fr. Aug.

Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang [Japan, Korea, N Thailand].

Shady places, rocks on slopes; below 1600 m.

Sedum angustifolium Z. B. Hu & X. L. Huang; S. kouyangense H. Léveillé & Vaniot; S. sarmentosum f. majus Diels; S. sheareri S. Moore.