How to identify Goldmoss stonecrop (Sedum acre)

How to identify Goldmoss stonecrop (Sedum acre)

Goldmoss stonecrop, also known as Wallpepper, Mossy stonecrop

Goldmoss stonecrop exhibits a mat-forming growth habit, with clusters of fleshy, evergreen leaves that are bright green in color. Tiny, star-shaped yellow flowers bloom profusely above the foliage in early summer. The leaves are roughly around 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) long, with the flowers reaching up to 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) across. Its stems sprawl and root at intervals, producing a dense ground cover. Goldmoss stonecrop is drought-resistant due to its succulent nature, capable of retaining water in its leaves.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Succulent, Herb

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Goldmoss stonecrop

Mat-forming growth habit

Small, star-shaped yellow flowers

Fleshy, evergreen leaves

Dense ground cover due to sprawling stems

Succulent stem with varying colors

Detailed Traits of Goldmoss stonecrop

Leaf Features

The leaves of goldmoss stonecrop are small, conical, and blunt, measuring up to 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) in length. These pale green leaves are thick and fleshy, forming a dense cover along the stem. They grow in an overlapping pattern, which gives the plant a distinctive, tightly packed appearance. The texture of the leaves is smooth, and they have a slightly waxy surface, which helps in conserving moisture. The leaves lack prominent veins, aligning with their succulent nature.

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Flower Features

The flowers of goldmoss stonecrop are small, star-shaped, and yellow, each measuring up to 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) across. They possess five petals arranged in flat terminal cymes, which form in clusters. Blooming from June to August, these flowers are noteworthy for their vibrant yellow color and regular, symmetrical arrangement that makes them easily recognizable during their blooming period.

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Stem Features

The stem of goldmoss stonecrop is low and thick, forming a mat-like structure close to the ground. It is succulent, with a smooth, fleshy texture and varies in color from green to reddish. Typically measuring up to 0.2 inches (5 mm) in thickness, the stem branches profusely, creating a dense and spreading ground cover. These characteristics are distinctive, making the stem of goldmoss stonecrop a key feature for identification.

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Goldmoss stonecrop and Their Similar Plants

Coppertone sedum vs. Goldmoss stonecrop: What's The Difference?

The coppertone sedum is a small, succulent plant with a light green or orange appearance. It grows best in sunny environments. Originally native to Mexico, the coppertone sedum has spread around the world as a windowsill plant, and is especially popular in the Canary Islands and Italy.

Carpet sedum vs. Goldmoss stonecrop: What's The Difference?

Carpet sedum (Sedum lineare) is also known as variegated stonecrop and needle stonecrop. It’s an exceedingly low-maintenance plant. In fact, one of the reasons it’s called stonecrop is that farmers have joked that “only stones need less care than sedum.” Another reason is the plant is often found growing over stones and rocks.

Burro's tail vs. Goldmoss stonecrop: What's The Difference?

The stems of burro's tail grow upright at first, then bend when they reach a certain height and creep to the ground. This makes them perfect for planting in large hanging pots. Plant a hanging pot full of burro's tail seedlings and over time they will slowly form a "waterfall" shape.

White stonecrop vs. Goldmoss stonecrop: What's The Difference?

White stonecrop (Sedum album) is a flowering plant species that often grows in crevices or free-draining rocky soil. White stonecrop grows in temperate regions all over the world. It is adapted to grow in dry, thin soils and is often found growing on walls, dry banks, seashore rocks and in rocky meadows. This species grows low to the ground and cannot compete when there are other, fast-growing species in the same area.

Jellybeans vs. Goldmoss stonecrop: What's The Difference?

Jellybeans (Sedum pachyphyllum) is a succulent plant native to Mexico and popularized as a houseplant. Jellybeans is an easy plant to care for and good for beginners in houseplants and gardening. It can survive in both moist and dry soil and survives without watering for longer periods of time than most plants.

Stringy stonecrop vs. Goldmoss stonecrop: What's The Difference?

Stringy stonecrop is a perennial plant with stems that can be up to 25 cm length. It has star-shaped flowers that are yellow-green. This plant is extremely easy to propagate, simply pushing one of the stems into the ground in your desired location is enough to usually cause stringy stonecrop to take root.

Tree stonecrop vs. Goldmoss stonecrop: What's The Difference?

Tree stonecrop (Sedum dendroideum) is a perennial shrub native to Mexico. It grows best in warm, arid environments, but it can survive in cooler climates. Tree stonecrop is naturalized in California within the United States and is often cultivated in gardens.

Tiscalatengo gorge sedum vs. Goldmoss stonecrop: What's The Difference?

Tiscalatengo gorge sedum tends to develop lateral buds and grow cespitose, therefore the plant can often be seen in large clusters. With sufficient light and broad temperature variation, its leaves turn a jelly-like light green or yellowish-green with red tips. When exposed to sunlight, it emits a light fruity aroma. Propagation by leaf-cutting is rarely successful, so it's generally propagated by cutting and division.

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Key Facts About Goldmoss stonecrop

Attributes of Goldmoss stonecrop

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Succulent, Herb

Plant Height

5 cm to 12 cm

Spread

30 cm to 60 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Red

Yellow

Stem Color

Green

Red

Yellow

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Goldmoss stonecrop

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Saxifrages, stonecrops and allies

Family

Stonecrop

Genus

Stonecrops

Species

Goldmoss stonecrop (Sedum acre)

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Distribution Map of Goldmoss stonecrop

Goldmoss stonecrop is native to the region covering Greenland to western Europe, south to North Africa. It grows in sandy and rocky areas, even on stone walls. Goldmoss stonecrop has been used as an ornamental in gardens, spreading to parts of the Americas and Asia. However, it is considered a minor weed in parts of Australia and Canada.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Goldmoss stonecrop

A Comprehensive Guide to Goldmoss stonecrop How to Grow and Care for Goldmoss stonecrop