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Botanical Name:Sedum purpureum,
Family: Sedum
Common Name:Live-forever

Habitat:
Live forever grows best in open woods and along roadsides. As evidenced by the common name, this wildflower is robust and can even thrive in disturbed areas.Geographic Origin: Pacific Northwest.

Description:
It is a Perennial  plant.Mature size: Height 4 inches (10 cm).
Width: 12 inches <30 cm>.
Flowering period: Summer.
Flowering attributes: Star-shaped, yellow flowers in tight clusters.
Leaf attributes: Rosettes of fleshy purple leaves covered with a silvery-white waxy powder.
Growth habit: Mat forming.
Light: Full sun.
Soil: Any type soil.
Propagation Methods: Short stem pieces root readily in garden soil. | Divide in spring.

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Flowers:
Live forever flowers are quite small, measuring 8 mm in width. The petals are a deep purplish-pink at the tapered, distal end and are light pink or white towards the center. The flowers are radially symmetrical and form a star-shaped bloom. The stamens are overly-pronounced and the sepals are short. Flowers are arranged in dense rounded clusters that grow out of the terminal shoot.

Fruit:
The fruit is relatively small withbrown seeds inside. This fruit grows out of the live forever flower and matures when the petals fall off and the fruit left on the stalk dries.

Leaves:
The leaves of the live forever can grow moderatley large, averaging approximately 2.5-6.5 cm in length, and are broadly long-to-ovate. They are coarsely-, regularly-toothed, smoothed skinned, and fleshy.

Fun Facts:
Live forever is amazingly persistent and can regenerate from any fragment of its composition. This trait, along with its robust appearance, account for the meaning of its common name.

The leave of the live forever are so robust that they can be separated to make “ballon purses” (fun exercise for children).

Medicinal Uses:
In the first century A.D., Pliny, the Roman naturalist, stated that the juice of this plant was good for treating wounds and fistulas. In more recent herbal medicine, it has been prescribed to be taken internally for the treatment of ulcers, lung disorders, and diarrhea; and externally it has been prescribed for slow healing ulcers.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:

http://www.piam.com/mms_garden/plants.html

http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/okwild/livfor.html

http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/Wildflowers_Kimonis_Kramer/PAGES/LIVEFOREVER_PAGE_FINAL.html

http://www.rainyside.com/features/plant_gallery/perennials/Sedum_spathulifoliumPurpureum.html

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