Penthorum sedoides (Ditch Stonecrop)

Plant Info

Also known as:
Genus:	Penthorum
Family:	Crassulaceae (Stonecrop)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun to part shade; wet soil, ditches, along shores, marshes
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	6 to 24 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Rice Creek Trail Corridor Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flowers are in raceme-like branching clusters in the upper part of the plant. Individual flowers typically have no petals. Around the center are 5 carpels (pistil parts) shaped something like a beaker or decanter. They are surrounded by 10 stamens with creamy white tips that turn brown with age. The flowers are typically on only 1 side of the stem, and the clusters tend to fan out.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are up to 4 inches long and 1¼ inch wide, finely toothed, hairless, with a pointed tip and tapering at the base. There is little or no leaf stem. The main stem may be sparsely hairy and is sometimes angular.

Fruit:

In late summer the carpels turn red and seed capsules develop, each containing many seeds.

More photos

• a colony of Ditch Stonecrop

Photos taken at Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park, Shoreview, MN July-August 2008 and July 2009

Comments

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