170 THE LADIES' FLOWER-GARDEN 
of heads called cymes. " These plants," says Mr, Don, " are found in the driest situations, where not a blade of 
grass nor a particle of moss can grow ; on naked rocks, hot sandy plains, and old walls, alternately exposed to 
the heaviest dews of night, and the fiercest rays of the sun." They derive scarcely any nourishment from the 
soil, being furnished with innumerable pores, which absorb moisture during the night. The name of Crassulaceae 
is derived from crassus, in allusion to the succulent nature of the leaves and stems. 
GENUS I. 
SEDUM, Lin. THE STONECROP. 
Lin. Syst. DECANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. 
Generic Charicter. — Calyx five-parted ; sepals ovate, usually turgid, leaf-formed. Petals five, generally spreading. Stamens ten. 
Nectariferous scales entire, or hardly emarginate. Carpels five. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — The name of Sedum, which signifies " to sit upon," expresses the habit of this plant, which 
appears in fact only to sit or rest upon the stones or rocks on which it grows. The same habit explains the 
English name of Stonecrop. Most of the species are quite hardy, and succeed perfectly well on rockwork in 
the open air. When grown in the border, it should be in very light sandy soil, or the soil where they grow 
should be mixed with loam and brick rubbish. 
1.— SEDUM TERNATUM, MicJur. THE TERNATE-LEAVED STONECROP. 
SiTKONYMEs. — S. portulacoidcs, Willd. ; S. dcficiens, Don ; 8. 
Americanum, Herb., Bauh. ; S. octagonum, Hort. ; Auacampseros 
ternata, Haw. 
Engravings. — Bot M.ng. t. 1977 ; Bot. Reg. t. 142 ; and our Jig. 
4 in Plate 40. 
Specific Character. — Leaves flat, glabrous, quite entire ; lower 
leaves obovate, attenuated at the base, three in a whorl, upper ones 
sessile, lanceolate, inordinate ; cymes trifid ; flowew sessile along the 
branches i petals ohlong, acute. (G.Don.) 
Description, &c. — This species is a native of North America, whence it was introduced by Sir Joseph Banks 
in 1789. It is admirably adapted for rockwork, as it forms a large thick tuft, with stems about four inches 
high ; and it is covered with flowers, which begin to appear in June, and continue during the whole summer. 
It is quite hardy in the open garden, if grown in a dry situation and a sandy soil ; and it looks very well in pots 
or boxes, if not kept too moist. 
2.— SEDUM SEMPERVIVOIDES, Fisch. THE HOUSELEEK-LIKE STONECROP. 
EsGRATiNos. — Bot. Mag. t. 2474 ; and our /<?. 3 in Plate 40. half stem - clasping ; stems simple; corymb rather panicled ; petals 
Specific Character — Leaves spatulate-ovate, acute, flat, quite lanceolate-subulate. (G. Don.) 
entire, pubescent ; lower ones collected into a circle ; cauline ones 
Description, &c. — A very hardy and handsome plant, closely resembling the houseleek when not in flower. 
It is a native of Mount Caucasus, whence it was introduced about 1823. It may be planted either in the open 
border or on rockwork ; and it flowers from June to September. 
3 — SEDUM C.ff:RULEUM, Vahl. THE BLUE-FLOWERED STONECROP. 
SvN0NYM£8.-S. azurcum, Desf. ; Barbary Stonecrop. 
Engravings.— Bot. Reg. t. 520 ; Bot. Mag. t. 2224 ; and our fig. 
5 in Plate 40. 
Specific Character, — Stem flat on the ground at the base, ascend- 
ing ; leaves oblong, alternate, obtuse, loosened at the base ; cymes 
bifid, glabrous; petals seven, obtuse. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — This curious little plant has, notwithstanding its name, pinkish flowers, but they have 
the remarkable property of becoming of a brilliant blue when dry. It is a native of Barbary, whence it was 
introduced in 1819. It is quite hardy, and only requires to be kept dry, and grown in sand. 
