BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
97 
in which these plants appear to be sitting on their native rocks, instead of growing out of them. The English 
name of Stonecrop, alludes to their growing generally on rocks or stones. This genus is placed in the same 
Linntean class and order as Umbilicus. 
§ 1 .—Leaves flat. 
1.—THE ORPINE. (Sedubi Telephium, Lin.) 
Synonyme. —Live Long. I Specific Character. —Leaves fiattisli, serrated. Corymb leafy. 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1319 ; 2nd ed., t. 650 ; and our fig. 1, Stem erect. (Smith.) 
in PI. 22. 
Description, &c. —This species is extremely common on the borders of fields, and on hedge-banks by the 
roadside, wherever the soil is gravelly or calcareous. Its flowers, which are very ornamental, vary from 
crimson to a dark purple, and are sometimes met with, white. They appear about the middle of July. The 
plant is a perennial, and it grows from one to two feet high. It was formerly thought very efficacious in curing 
wounds. Its popular name of Live Long, alludes to the length of time it may be kept out of the ground without 
injury. _ 
2.—THE ROSE-ROOT. (Sedubi Rhodiola, Dec.) 
Synonymes. —Rhodiola rosea, Lin.; Rhodiola odorata, Lam. ! Root fleshy. Stem simple. Flowers usually with four petals and 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 508 ; 2nd ed., t. 1395. I divisions. (Dec.) 
Specific Character. —Leaves oblong, serrated at tbe tip, smooth. 
Description, &c. —This species was placed by Linnaeus in a separate genus on account of the parts of the 
flowers being in fours; while the other species of the genus Sedum have ten stamens, and the other parts 
of their flowers in fives. The flowers of the Rose-root are also frequently dioecious, that is, some flowers have 
only stamens, and others only pistils; while those of the Sedum are always perfect. The plant is common in 
moist situations in the mountainous districts of both Great Britain and Ireland. The root is large and fleshy, 
with a grey, smooth, shining bark ; and when it is dry it smells like roses. The leaves are numerous, fleshy, 
and growing close to the stem ; they are serrated towards the point, and often tipped with crimson. The 
flowers are yellow, and they appear in June. The plant is a perennial, and it is the badge of tbe Highland 
clan Gunn. 
§ 2. —Leaves tumid, or somewhat cylindrical. 
3.—THE BITING STONECROP, OR WALL PEPPER. (Sedum acre, Lin.) 
Engravings. — Eng. Bot., t. 839; 2nd ed., t. 653. | spurred at the base. Cyme of three smooth branches, leafy. 
Specific Character. —Leaves alternate, nearly ovate, thick, tumid ; ! (Smith.) 
Description, &.c .—This is a dwarf plant, which grows abundantly on walls and dry sandy banks in almost 
every part of the United Kingdom, and which produces its golden yellow flowers about Midsummer. From 
its growing generally on walls, and its sharp acrid taste, it has received its popular English names of Biting 
Stonecrop and Wall Pepper. It is a perennial. 
4.—THE TASTELESS STONECROP. (Sedubi sexangulare, Lin.) 
Engravings —Eng. Bot., t. 1946 ; 2nd ed., t. 654. j drica], obtuse, fleshy, spreading; spurred at the base. Cyme of three 
Specific Character. —Leaves in six or seven rows, nearly cylin- | smooth branches, leafy. (Smith.) 
Description, &c.— This species is not nearly so common as the last; and though they are frequently 
confounded together, this kind may be easily distinguished by its larger and more spreading leaves, and the 
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