Crassulaceae

Stonecrop Family

Rock Lettuce

FAMILY: Stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) – Dudleya genus.

SPECIES: #1 mission lettuce or fingertips (Dudleya edulis (Nutt.) Moran). #2 lanceleaf rock lettuce or liveforever (Dudleya lanceolata (Nutt.) Britton & Rose). #3 chalk dudleya or liveforever (Dudleya pulverulenta (Nutt.) Britton & Rose). #4 Panamint rock lettuce or liveforever (Dudleya saxosa (M. E. Jones) Britton & Rose ssp. aloides (Rose) Moran). #5 Gila rock lettuce or liveforever (Dudleya saxosa (M. E. Jones) Britton & Rose ssp. collomiae (Rose ex Morton) Moran = Dudleya collomiae Rose ex Morton).

TO UTILIZE AS FOOD: Warning! Many species within the Dudleya, Echeveria, Rhodiola, and Sedum genera are protected. Collection in certain areas is prohibited, except in true survival situations. Leaves of all species listed above are edible. These species are native to North America and most of them are endemic to rocky mountain habitats along the Pacific Coast in southern California or the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. The name rock lettuce refers to the habitat these plants prefer and the name liveforever refers to the enduring leaves. 

Mission lettuce (D. edulis) is found in southwestern California, especially in the vicinity of San Diego. Outside of that area, it’s of little value to foragers. Mission lettuce produces thick, moist, fleshy leaves shaped like green beans with a flavor that’s been described as refreshing and delicious. The flavor has also been described as bland. Mission lettuce blooms in spring, but it can be gathered in any season.

Lanceleaf rock lettuce (D. lanceolata) is found in southwestern California, especially in rocky mountain habitats along the Pacific Coast. Its range also extends southward into the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. Lanceleaf rock lettuce blooms in spring and presumably tastes like the virtually identical Panamint rock lettuce described below.

Chalk liveforever (D. pulverulenta) is found in southwestern California, especially in rocky mountain habitats along the Pacific Coast. Its range also extends southward into the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. Outside of that area, it’s of little value to foragers. Chalk liveforever is a showy species with beautiful red flowers that bloom from May to July.

Gila rock lettuce (D. saxosa ssp. collomiae) is abundant in rocky habitats of central Arizona. It blooms in spring and presumably tastes like the virtually identical Panamint rock lettuce.

Panamint rock lettuce (D. saxosa ssp. aloides) is found in southern California, including the Mojave Desert, where it once served as a source of water for travelers braving the barren expanse. Panamint rock lettuce produces good-quality leaves. Older leaves taste better than younger leaves— rather than vice versa. Younger leaves are terribly astringent and barely suitable for consumption unless cooked. Older leaves are much less astringent, even free of astringency occasionally. Quality leaves taste reminiscent of lettuce. Acrid and peppery overtones common to the stonecrop family are relatively low in Panamint rock lettuce, but bitterness can be overwhelming. Few other green leafy vegetables grow where Panamint rock lettuce grows, so the importance of this plant should not be underestimated when wandering across the desert, especially when thirst becomes an issue. Finding a supply may be difficult, so gathering this plant is best reserved for true emergencies. Panamint rock lettuce grows in rocky mountain habitats and blooms in spring.

IDENTIFICATION: The Dudleya genus is represented by about 25 species in the United States, all but 3 of which are endemic to California.

Description of lanceleaf rock lettuce (Dudleya lanceolata): FORM small, succulent, hairless, perennial plant; LEAVES simple; arranged in basal rosettes and alternately along the stems; lower blades thick, fleshy, evergreen, and lance-shaped; upper blades reduced, the uppermost often scale-like; FLOWERS regular, perfect, ovary superior, and arranged in one-sided cymes or panicles; sepals 5; petals 5, yellow, and united below the middle into flask-shaped tubes; pistils 5; stamens 10; FRUITS follicles 5, upright, and filled with numerous seeds; HABITAT rocky hillsides, southern California; blooming April to July. NOTES: Panamint rock lettuce (D. saxosa ssp. aloides) of the same region and Gila rock lettuce (D. saxosa ssp. collomiae) of central Arizona are virtually identical to lanceleaf rock lettuce, differing mainly in size. Mission lettuce differs by having leaves that are rounded in cross section, and chalk liveforever (D. pulverulenta) is a rare species with red flowers.

REFERENCES: #1 mission lettuce (Dudleya edulis): leaves Clarke (p. 122), Couplan (p. 203), and Ebeling (p. 830). #2 lanceleaf rock lettuce (Dudleya lanceolata): leaves Couplan (p. 203) and Ebeling (p. 830). #3 chalk liveforever (Dudleya pulverulenta): leaves Couplan (p. 203) and Ebeling (p. 830). #4 Panamint rock lettuce (Dudleya saxosa ssp. aloides): leaves Ebeling (p. 830). #5 Gila rock lettuce (Dudleya saxosa ssp. collomiae): leaves Couplan (p. 203).

King’s and Queen’s Crown

FAMILY: Stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) – Rhodiola genus.

SPECIES: #1 king’s crown (Rhodiola integrifolia Raf. ssp. integrifolia = Sedum integrifolium (Raf.) A. Nelson). #2 queen’s crown or pink stonecrop (Rhodiola rhodantha (A. Gray) H. Jacobsen = Sedum rhodanthum A. Gray).

TO UTILIZE AS FOOD: Warning! Many species within the Dudleya, Echeveria, Rhodiola, and Sedum genera are protected. Collection in certain areas is prohibited, except in true survival situations. Rare varieties are also a concern. The roots, shoots, leaves, and flowers of both species listed above are reported to be edible fresh or cooked.

King’s crown (R. integrifolia) is native to mountainous regions of western North America. Fresh leaves have been described as slightly bitter but very good. King’s crown blooms from June to September. Roots can be gathered anytime. Other parts can be gathered in summer or autumn. King’s crown is uncommon and best left alone to help dwindling populations re-establish. Care should be taken to avoid the rare subspecies (see the identification section below).

Queen’s crown (R. rhodantha) is native to the Rocky Mountains of western North America. Fresh leaves are suitable for salads. The flavor is variable degrees of mild, bitter, acrid, and tangy. The overall flavor is pleasant and combines lettuce-like suggestions with earth-tone accents. The texture is moist, crisp, and fleshy. Lightly steamed leaves taste about the same as fresh leaves. Old leaves turn dull shades of various autumn colors. Queen’s crown blooms from June to September. Roots can be gathered anytime. Other parts can be gathered in summer or autumn. Queen’s crown is fairly common, but it’s at risk of being over-collected.

IDENTIFICATION: The Rhodiola genus is currently represented by 3 species in the United States, of which only 2 are found in the Southwest, mainly in mountain meadows. King’s crown has dark-red (or yellow) flowers arranged in flat-topped clusters and queen’s crown has pink flowers arranged in more rounded clusters. King’s crown currently has 3 subspecies, of which 2 are endangered. These endangered subspecies (neomexicana and leedyi) have yellow or mostly yellow flowers. The more common subspecies (integrifolia) has dark-red flowers. The third species of the Rhodiola genus is called roseroot (S. rosea) for its rose-scented roots. It’s found in the northeastern United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Roots of southwestern species are also fragrant.

Description of king’s crown (Rhodiola integrifolia): FORM succulent, perennial plant about 10-40 cm tall; LEAVES simple; alternate; blades linear, oblanceolate, or obovate; margins entire or toothed; surfaces hairless; FLOWERS regular, perfect or unisexual, ovary superior, and arranged in head-like terminal clusters; male and female flowers normally on separate plants; sepals 4-5; petals 4-5, free (or nearly free), and dark red (or occasionally yellow); pistils/carpels upright and nearly free; stamens usually twice as many as sepals; FRUITS follicles; seeds numerous; HABITAT moist, rocky, mountain meadows; blooming June to September.

Description of queen’s crown (Rhodiola rhodantha): FORM succulent, perennial plant about 10-30 cm tall; LEAVES simple; alternate; blades linear to oblanceolate; margins entire or toothed; surfaces hairless; FLOWERS regular, perfect or unisexual, ovary superior, and arranged in spike-like or head-like clusters; male and female flowers normally in the same heads; sepals 4-6; petals 4-6, free (or nearly free), white to pink; pistils/carpels upright and nearly free; stamens usually twice as many as sepals; FRUITS follicles; seeds numerous; HABITAT moist, rocky, mountain meadows; blooming June to September.

REFERENCES: #1 king’s crown (Rhodiola integrifolia ssp. integrifolia = Sedum integrifolium): roots, shoots, leaves, and flowers Morgan (pp. 139-140); leaves Ebeling (p. 830). #2 queen’s crown (Rhodiola rhodantha = Sedum rhodanthum): roots, shoots, leaves, and flowers Morgan (pp. 139-140); leaves Ebeling (p. 830).

Stonecrops

FAMILY: Stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) – Sedum genus.

SPECIES: Yellow or lanceleaf stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum Torr. ssp. lanceolatum = Amerosedum lanceolatum (Torr.) Á. Löve & D. Löve).

TO UTILIZE AS FOOD: Warning! Many species within the Dudleya, Echeveria, Rhodiola, and Sedum genera are protected. Collection in certain areas is prohibited. The roots, stems, and leaves of yellow stonecrop are edible. In other species, these parts can be acrid, astringent, peppery, and high in compounds called piperdine alkaloids. Consumption may cause headache, irritation, cramps, diarrhea or vomiting. Bradford Angier (p. 132) indicates that the roots, leaves, and stems of all species in the Sedum genus, except goldmoss stonecrop (S. acre), are edible raw or cooked. 

Yellow stonecrop (S. lanceolatum) leaves, based on those sampled for this reference, are small, tender, succulent, slightly acrid, and suitable for salads. Gathering enough for a salad was challenging. Lower leaves withered when the flowers appeared. Upper leaves remained succulent. Stems were a combination of fibrous and succulent. The leaves had an earth-tone flavor that was more similar to mustard than lettuce. It was a bland flavor with a character unique to stonecrops. Acrid, bitter, and astringent overtones were within tolerable limits. Suitable leaves and flowers can be chopped and tossed into a stewpot. A related species called orpine stonecrop (S. debile) that inhabits the Great Basin presumably has similar edibility. Yellow stonecrop blooms from June to September. It can be gathered anytime it’s in bloom or earlier if it can be identified. To the best of my knowledge, nothing poisonous looks like yellow stonecrop, so gathering young plants that conform to other features noted in the description below—especially size, form, leaf shape, and leaf arrangement— should be safe to eat. Overall, yellow stonecrop is a good wild food.

NOTES: My experience with stonecrops is based on yellow (S. lanceolatum) and white (S. cockerellii) stonecrop, which are the predominant southwestern species. I also tried a cultivated species called witch’s moneybags (S. telephium = Hylotelephium telephium). White stonecrop is generally not reported to be edible, except by authors implying that “all species” in the Sedum genus are edible. I often try related species to gain a better understanding of a genus. I certainly don’t recommend this kind of experimentation, especially if you’re new to foraging, but it does paint a broader picture of a genus. Some genera are inherently safer than others. Based on the literature cited, the Sedum genus appears to be safe and worth further exploration. However, the decision to explore undocumented or poorly-documented plants is a personal one. Throughout this book I mention numerous neglected plants, such as white stonecrop, that may be safe to eat even though they lack formal documentation stating they are edible. Leaves of white stonecrop are small, tender, succulent, and highly variable in flavor. Acrid, bitter, and astringent overtones range from minimal to excessive. Stems consistently taste worse than leaves. Boiling greatly reduces any unappealing flavors. All parts become mushy after boiling. White stonecrop is a small plant that grows in colonies atop boulders or in other rocky dispositions. Two related species, starry stonecrop (S. stelliforme) and Texas stonecrop (S. wrightii), presumably have similar traits. The name stonecrop refers to the rocky terrain these plants prefer. Several species are eaten as leafy vegetables in Europe, and at least one, witch’s moneybags, is cultivated (Hanelt p. 410).

IDENTIFICATION: The Sedum genus is represented by about 45 species in the United States, of which only a few are found in the Southwest and Great Basin. Most species have 5 sepals, 5 petals, 5 pistils, and 10 stamens.

Description of white stonecrop (Sedum cockerellii): FORM low-lying, succulent, perennial plant about 5-15 cm tall; LEAVES simple; arranged basally and/or alternately; sessile; blades linear, oblanceolate, or spatulate; somewhat flat in cross section; margins entire; surfaces hairless and often minutely bumpy (papillate); FLOWERS regular, perfect, ovary superior, and arranged in head-like clusters (cymes); sepals 4-5; petals 4-5, white, and usually free; pistils/carpels 4-5; stamens 8-10; FRUITS follicles; HABITAT rocky areas at mid to upper elevations; blooming June to September. NOTES: Starry stonecrop (S. stelliforme) and Texas stonecrop (S. wrightii) are essentially the same, differing from white stonecrop merely by having leaves that are more rounded in cross section and crowded on the upper stems. No other species in the Southwest look similar.

Description of yellow stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum): FORM small, succulent, upright, perennial plant about 5-25 cm tall; LEAVES simple; arranged basally and/or alternately; sessile; blades linear to oblanceolate, thick, and rounded in cross section; margins entire; surfaces hairless and often minutely bumpy (papillate); FLOWERS regular, perfect, ovary superior, and arranged in head-like clusters (cymes); sepals 4-5; petals 4-5, yellow, and usually free; pistils/carpels 4-5; stamens 8-10; FRUITS follicles; HABITAT rocky areas in higher mountains; blooming June to September. NOTES: Plants with oval leaves arranged sub-oppositely are the closely related orpine stonecrop (S. debile). No other species in the Southwest look similar.

REFERENCES: Bradford Angier (p. 132) indicates that the roots, young leaves, and stems of all species in the Sedum genus except goldmoss stonecrop (S. acre) are edible raw or cooked. Lanceleaf stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum ssp. lanceolatum = Amerosedum lanceolatum): roots, stems, and leaves Vizgirdas (p. 179); leaves Earle (pp. 168-169).