Recently reclassified from Sedum spurium to Phedimus spurius, but both names are still commonly used.
Leaves, flowers, roots and stems are known to cause low-severity gastrointestinal symptoms if consumed.
Originates in the northern Middle East, from Turkey to Iran.
Succulent perennial herb with thick, flat leaves which are shades of purple and green.
Grows no more than 6" tall.
Thrives in partial shade and well-drained, sandy or rocky soil. Does exceptionally well in anthropogenic habitats.
Attracts a wide variety of pollinators and birds including bees and butterflies.
Sentimental and Symbolic Value
Plants of the Phedimus and Sedum genera were originally introduced for ornamental purposes, but are now naturalized spontaneous plants across the world and are commonly used on green rooves.
Specimen photographed found on St. Stephen Street, Boston, Massachusetts, Part of the Spontaneous Urban Plants assignment (10/13/2021)
Plant History and Etymology
The name genus name Phedimus possibly comes from the Greek phadimos, meaning "shining". Sedum is a Latin term referring to succulent plants. The species name spurius/um is of uncertain origin, but means "false" or "illegitimate" in several languages.
Phedimus spurius was generally considered a nuisance plant, but is beoming increasingly cultivated as an ornamental sought after for its attractive flowers and colors.
Design Considerations
It has small but showy and long-lasting flowers throughout the spring and summer with a unique star shape and a wide variety of colors. It spreads quickly and forms a dense mat, making it an ideal groundcover. Its evergreen nature means that even when the flowers are not in bloom there is still significant aesthetic interest.
Sources
Del Tredici, Peter, and Steward T. A. Pickett. “Herbaceous Dicots.” Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast: A Field Guide, 2nd ed., Cornell University Press, 2020, pp. 226, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctvq2w0x1.11.
“Phedimus Spurius (False Stonecrop): Go Botany.” 2021. Nativeplanttrust.org. 2021. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/phedimus/spurius/.
“Phedimus Spurius (Creeping Stonecrop, Stonecrop, Two-Row Stonecrop) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.” 2021. Ncsu.edu. 2021. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/phedimus-spurius/.
“History of Sedums: Learn about Sedum Stonecrop Plants.” 2019. Gardening Know How. May 9, 2019. https://blog.gardeningknowhow.com/tbt/history-of-sedum-stonecrop-plants/.