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Botanical Name:Sedum purpureum
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Sedum
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Saxifragales
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. It’sgeographic origin is Northwest Pacific .
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.
CLICK TO SEE THE PICTURES
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.
The fresh leaves yield a juice that is used as an astringent to help heal wounds. The plant has enjoyed a reputation as an internal remedy for ulcers, lung disorders, and dysentery and as an external astringent for the treatment of slow-healing wounds. It is a popular remedy for diarrhea, stimulates the kidneys and has a reputation in the treatment of cancer. A poultice of the crushed leaves has been used in the treatment of boils and carbuncles.
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
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_LMN.htm
