Plants of the genus Sedum grows in the northern hemisphere.

They occur in areas of the characteristic rapid rainwater runoff and little competition from other vegetation .. Few mountains in the northern hemisphere has at least one representative of this genus. Several species are widespread in all geographical zones, such as types of tundra that grow north of the Arctic Circle. In very high latitudes sedum found on rocky or sandy strip, closer to tropům is found at low altitudes along the coast.

Three contrasting areas are particularly rich in species of the genus Sedum. Coast of the Mediterranean Sea with the islands, plus the adjacent mountain ranges - especially the Sierra Nevada, Pyrenees, Central du Massive, Alps, Apennines, Dinaric Alps, the Balkan Mountains and the Atlas mountain meadows are home to over 100 species of sedum and more variations and local forms . Much of this zone has a dry summer.

The shores of the Mediterranean have an outstanding summer dry period, and the local species are adapted to. Many of them after flowering in the winter and sprout retracts again in the spring, or the last one year, when after vysemení die. The seeds then germinate next spring new plants (Sedum caespitosum). Evergreen species (Sedum sediforme) of this zone is the most succulent of all Eurasian species. Its thick, leathery, often blue-green frosted leaves to help retain moisture, up until the end of the summer period remains at the tip of the stem just a small bunch of leaves. Sedum tuberiferum has tuberous propagule, which keeps humidity below ground level so přečkává drought.

Also, the Himalayas is rich genus Sedum. Strings connected ridges are home to many species of Rhodiola that grow subgenu usually at very high altitudes. Neighboring Southwest China is rich in flora subgenu Hylotelephium stonecrop, Sedum subgenu Aizoon groups, Orostachys and Sedum. These species have spread into Central Asia and adjacent volcanic islands borders the Pacific, including Japan. Hokkaido, the northernmost of the four main Japanese islands, has a sharp winter, but several species of stonecrop grows in the ocean near the surface, which interferes with its water tříští.Kyushu, the southernmost of the main Japanese islands, is not so short winter that two kinds of peppers are grown throughout the year. A few species inhabit alpine zone.

Lowland species from Kyushu need winter protection. Probably for about 200 kinds of sedum from the Far East, will be registered and recognized as a distinct species of Rhodiola subgenu, growing at very high altitudes, usually with large ztlustlými rhizomes. Many Far Eastern species of Sedum subgenu, growing in areas of abundant summer monsoons, are not particularly succulent. Several species, eg S. rossulatobulbosum, is associated with wet places, although the sites are completely drained.

Mexico is the third area with a rich flora sedum. Area three intersecting ridges with vnitrohorským salary and relatively new volcanic zones laid high, contains about 100 species of the genus Sedum, with some species extending to the USA. Some species (P. frutescens) grow on the lava fields, which creates a massive stalks that supplied the water and creates a paper bark and small deciduous leaves to reduce evaporation. Other species in areas with heavy rain prefer moist, shady, canyon walls, which tend to grow downwards. The Mexican desert is probably the richest country in the world xerofytní and succulent plants. Several Mexican species (eg S. moranense) is zimuvzdorných in countries with mild climates, they grow at very high altitudes where it must withstand the cold and humid regions of Mexico ledu.Ve grow trees, agaves and cacti, and several species of stonecrop, growing epiphytic. First Mexican peppers are associated with a sloping, well drenážovanými areas where no competition with other plants.

Moreover, among these three areas rich in species of the genus Sedum, North America has over 30 endemic species, mostly in western Kordillierách, but several species occur in eastern Kordillierách přimknutých and their platforms. Europe has a number of widespread species, and north of the Alps. Middle East has several endemic species of annuals and East Africa, to the meridian, a handful of true species of sedum. Several species are endemic to islands in the Atlantic Macronesie.
Wherever there are areas in the temperate southern hemisphere temperate climate established in the colony, began to expand and sedum. From Tier del Fuego after the New Zealand sedum smíchávaly with the original flora and spread further.

Published with author's permission

Translation: Jaromir Végner

Author: Ray Stephenson, Sedum cultivated stonecrops, 1999

Dagmar Petrlíková 2009