Angiosperms (Flowering Plants) • Earth.com

Sedum telephium

(Hylotelephium telephium)

galery
en

Description

Hylotelephium telephium, also known as Sedum telephium, is a flowering perennial plant in the family Crassulaceae. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa and has been introduced to North America, where it has become naturalized in some areas. This plant is commonly known as orpine, live-forever, or simply telephium. Description: Hylotelephium telephium is a herbaceous plant that typically grows up to 60 cm in height, but some cultivars can reach up to 1 m tall. It has a clump-forming growth habit and produces succulent, fleshy leaves that are green, blue-green, or purple in color, depending on the cultivar. The leaves are generally obovate or oblong, up to 10 cm long, and up to 5 cm wide, with serrated edges. In late summer to early fall, Hylotelephium telephium produces dense clusters of star-shaped flowers that are pink, red, or white in color, depending on the cultivar. The flowers are usually held on upright stems above the foliage and are about 5-10 mm in diameter. The plant produces numerous seeds in small, pointed capsules that split open to release the seeds when mature. Cultivation: Hylotelephium telephium is an easy plant to grow and is often used in rock gardens, borders, and containers. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil. The plant is drought-tolerant and can survive in dry soil for long periods, making it ideal for xeriscaping. Propagation: Hylotelephium telephium can be propagated by seed, division, or stem cuttings. Seeds can be sown in early spring in a well-draining soil mix and kept moist until germination occurs. Division can be done in the spring or fall by separating the clumps of the plant and replanting them in fresh soil. Stem cuttings can be taken in the summer and rooted in a soil mix that is kept moist until the cuttings have formed roots. Uses: Hylotelephium telephium has a long history of use in traditional medicine. The plant was used to treat various ailments, including diarrhea, bleeding, and inflammation. It was also believed to have astringent, antispasmodic, and sedative properties. In modern times, Hylotelephium telephium is primarily used as an ornamental plant. It is valued for its attractive foliage and showy flowers, as well as its ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions. The plant is also used as a food source by some wildlife, including deer, rabbits, and birds. Varieties: There are several cultivars of Hylotelephium telephium available, each with its unique characteristics. Some of the most popular cultivars include: 'Autumn Joy': This cultivar is the most commonly grown and is known for its large, dome-shaped clusters of pink flowers that turn bronze in the fall. 'Matrona': This cultivar has blue-green leaves that turn burgundy in the fall and produces pink flowers that turn a rich, dark red. 'Brilliant': This cultivar has bright, rosy-red flowers that contrast beautifully with its blue-green foliage. 'Herbstfreude': This cultivar is similar to 'Autumn Joy' but has slightly smaller flowers and a more compact growth habit. 'Purple Emperor': This cultivar has dark purple leaves that contrast beautifully with its pink flowers.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order:Saxifragales
Family:Crassulaceae
Genus:Hylotelephium
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