Seasonal Wild Flowers

Biting Stonecrop

Sedum acre

Crassulaceae

Wall-pepper

May to July

It is found throughout the country except for parts of the

far Southwest

See the BSBI distribution map for Biting Stonecrop

It grows in the wild on coastal sand dunes, shingle and

cliffs, but is also found on rockeries, walls, roofs, tracks

and pavements.

Biting Stonecrop is a native, low-growing, creeping,

mat-forming, perennial herb growing up to 10cm.

The flowers are bright yellow, and up to 12mm across.

They are 5-merous (10 stamens).

The 3 bottle-shaped ovules yaper to small stigmas.

The leaves are small (3-5mm), fleshy and bright green.

They have a strong peppery taste.

Biting Stonecrop on limestone, Silverdale

Flower - twice as many stamens as petals

Ovules with small stigmas

Habit - leaves and ladybird (for size)

Close-up of fleshy leaves and flower buds

On dune grassland, Blackpool

On limestone pavement