Minnesota Wildflowers


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Penthorum sedoides (Ditch Stonecrop)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:Penthorum
Family:Penthoraceae (Ditch Stonecrop)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; wet soil, ditches, along shores, marshes
Bloom season:July - September
Plant height:6 to 24 inches
County distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

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Detailed Information

Flower: indistinct raceme

[photo of flowers] 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: alternate simple

[photo of leaves] 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 stalk. The main stem may be sparsely hairy and is sometimes angular.

Fruit:

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

Notes:

Ditch Stonecrop isn't very showy until it fruits, then it can be quite a nice splash of color. Penthorum has been shuffled around various families, at one time in Penthoraceae, then Saxifragaceae, then Crassulaceae, and now is back to Penthoraceae.

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  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos by K. Chayka taken at Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park, Ramsey County. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Anoka County.

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