Ontario
Weeds: Mossy stonecrop
Table of Contents
- Name
- Other Names
- Family
- General Description
- Stems and Roots
- Leaves
- Flowers and Fruit
- Habitat
- Similar Species
- Related Links
Name: Mossy stonecrop, Sedum acre
L.,
Other Names: Hen-and-chickens, Stonecrop,
Yellow stonecrop, orpin âcre, vermiculaire âcre
Family: Orpine Famliy (Crassulaceae)
General Description: Perennial, reproducing
by seed, by creeping horizontal stems rooting at the nodes and by
bits of broken stem with a few leaves which also root at the nodes
and start new patches. It is distinguished by its low stature, short,
thick, very succulent leaves and small, yellow flowers.
Photos and Pictures
Stems & Roots: Creeping, densely
matted, with many short, semi-erect branches, 5 - 15 cm (2 - 6 in.)
high and covered with numerous, small, alternate (1 per node), overlapping,
succulent (fleshy), ovoid
Leaves: 2-10mm (1/12-2/5in.) long and
round in cross-section.
Flowers & Fruit: Yellow, 8-10mm
(1/3-2/5in.) across in small clusters, each flower with 5 green sepals,
5 yellow petals, 10 stamens and 5 pistils; most of the pistils becoming
pointed seedpods containing several seeds. Flowers from June to July.
Habitat: Mossy stonecrop is a common
lawn weed in the central part of southern Ontario and occasionally
in other regions as well. It was introduced as an ornamental for rock
gardens because of its ability to grow well in coarse, sandy, shallow
soils low in fertility. In these situations, it can crowd out grass
and become a serious lawn weed. It also occurs in gardens, roadsides
and waste areas.
Similar Species: Several other kinds of
stonecrops (Sedum spp.) may escape from cultivation but are
usually less common. Their flowers range from white through yellows
and pinks to orange or reddish-purple; their succulent leaves may
be round in cross-section or quite flat, and their stems may be up
to 60cm (2ft) high.
Related Links
... on general Weed
topics
... on weed identification, order OMAFRA Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
... on weed control, order OMAFRA Publication 75: Guide To Weed Control
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