Spearleaf Stonecrop
Sedum lanceolatum
Also known as: subalpine stonecrop
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Stephen Hornbeck https://www.inaturalist.org/people/stephen_hornbeck (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Crassulaceae
- Genus:
- Sedum
- Species:
- Sedum lanceolatum
- USDA Symbol:
- SELA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Succulent
- Height:
- 20 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️Moss's Elfin (Incisalia mossii), Phoebus Apollo (Parnassius phoebus)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius) Butterflies:Rocky Mountain (Parnassius smintheus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from surviving root crown after fire; often colonizes burned or disturbed rocky sites.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in alpine and subalpine regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: 5 month outdoor cold, moist stratification. However, stratification is not necessary.
Establishment: S. lanceolatum is found in open and dry areas, mostly on rock and gravel, from Alaska and the Yukon to California, east to Alberta, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Colorado. It is a succulent species that inhabits open slopes, cliffs and dry pen prairies at montane to high elevations.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.