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"Though I am a small shrub and my roots hold the dry and rocky soil, within me lies resilience and beauty that thrives even in the harshest conditions."
Podcast!
Podcast!
This podcast explains all the key aspects about this succulent, including the condition where it lives and why it is an extremely resilient plant!
Most Attractive Feature:
This succulent is recognized because its green leaves appear to be red when the sun hits them for long periods of time!
Detailed Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Sedum
Species: Sedum griseum
Energy:
Photosynthesis: In its leaves, the Sedum griseum contains chlorophyll that captures sunlight. The plant takes in carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air through small openings called stomata and water (H2O) from the roots. Using the sun’s energy, these ingredients are converted into glucose, and release oxygen and energy as a waste product.
Cellular Respiration: After photosynthesis, the plant then uses glucose to produce energy through cellular respiration. This occurs in the mitochondria of plant cells and provides energy for growth, reproduction and in case anything needs to be repaired.
Ecology:
Habitat:
Sedum griseum thrives in mild to warm temperatures, typically found in temperate to semi-arid climates with moderate rainfall, characterized by well-defined wet and dry seasons. It prefers well-drained, sandy, or rocky soils with low to moderate fertility and is commonly found at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 meters above sea level. This succulent coexists with other drought-tolerant plants such as various Sedum species or cacti, and shares its habitat with fauna including pollinating insects like bees and butterflies, as well as small mammals and birds adapted to arid environments.
Biogeographic Distribution:
The plant is native to Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacán, and Querétaro (in Mexico)
Ecological Role:
Producer: It provides nectar for pollinators like bees or certain birds
Food Source: Its leaves serve as food for insects and small animals
Habitat: It offers shelter for insects and small reptiles.
Ecological Importance:
It helps the soil by keeping it fresh and hydrated, with the help of its long roots
Thanks to its roots, it also helps prevent soil erosion.
Endangerment, Conservation, and Cultural Value
Endangered status:
It is not currently endangered
Economical Value:
Used on gardens and many green roofs because it is appealing to the human eye, since it does not produce food for humans.
Cultural Importance:
In the past, it has been used by indigenous groups for many purposes, including medicinal ones. It was believed to heal wounds, and was used oftenly.
Conservation Efforts:
Promote habitat preservation and offer courses for people to take and learn more about these topics.
Educate people through videos and lectures about these plants and their importance.
Implement programs to ensure the plants survival
Why is it Unique in our Green roof?
Because of its drought resistance, it is certainly one of the most unique plants we can find in our green roof!
Adaptations and Evolution
Adaptations:
The Sedum griseum has adapted by developing thick leaves to store water. Additionally, another adaptation they have had is that their stomata closes during the day to prevent evaporation.
Evolutionary Advantages:
Sedum griseum has developed thick, fleshy leaves that store water, helping it survive long periods without rain. The plant can close its stomata (tiny openings in the leaves) during the day to reduce water loss. Its roots are very efficient at absorbing water, even from rocky soils.
Close Relatives:
Close relatives of Sedum griseum within the Sedum genus, such as Sedum album (White Stonecrop) and Sedum spurium (Caucasian Stonecrop), show similar adaptations for water storage and drought tolerance. These species share a common ancestry and likely diverged from a common ancestor through the process of divergent evolution. Homologous structures, such as succulent leaves are evidence of their shared evolutionary history.
Evolutionary Timeline:
The Sedum genus belongs to the family Crassulaceae, which is estimated to have originated around 100 million years ago (Late Cretaceous period). Within the Crassulaceae family, Sedum species likely diversified over millions of years, adapting to various habitats and environmental conditions. Fossil evidence of Sedum-like plants dates back to the Tertiary period, suggesting that the genus has a relatively ancient evolutionary lineage.
Works Cited
Jardín Xerófilo. (2023, May 22). Sedum griseum. Retrieved from https://jardinxerofilo.wordpress.com/sedum-griseum-praeger/#:~:text=De%20nombre%20com%C3%BAn%20Miranda%2C%20es,se%20torna%20de%20color%20rojizo.&text=Nececistan%20mucha%20luz%2C%20tambi%C3%A9n%20sol,todas%20las%20estaciones%20del%20a%C3%B1o.
iNaturalist. (2023). Sedum griseum. Retrieved from https://mexico.inaturalist.org/taxa/276019-Sedum-griseum
World of Succulents. (2023). Sedum griseum. Retrieved from https://worldofsucculents.com/sedum-griseum/
Hortipedia. (2023). Sedum griseum. Retrieved from https://en.hortipedia.com/Sedum_griseum
The Horticultural Society of New York. (2023). The Hort. Retrieved from https://www.thehort.org/
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