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Stonecrop
Sedum japonicum
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A small succulent plant growing on rocky surfaces, stone walls, and rooftops. It stores water in its fleshy leaves and thrives even in dry conditions. It produces numerous small yellow flowers.
Identification Points
- βLeaves are fleshy and succulent, cylindrical to ovoid, green to yellow-green
- βNumerous small star-shaped yellow flowers
- βForms colonies on rocky surfaces, stone walls, and roof tiles
Habitat
Rocky surfaces, stone walls, rooftops, and roadsides
Season
MayβJuly (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf shape
Ovate
Growth form
Herb
Petal count
5 petals
Petal fusion
Free
Stipules
Absent
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Stamen count
3-4
Phylogenetic Positionγγ³γ±γ€γ½γ¦η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Saxifragales > Crassulaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (approx. 50β40 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
The stonecrop family possesses CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism), a specialized carbon fixation pathway that enables adaptation to dry and high-temperature environments.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification