Sedum reflexum is a hardy evergreen perennial species hailing from mountainous regions throughout North America and in some dry parts of South America. The plant is a member of the Crassulaceae family in the genus Hylotelephium, known as stonecrops.
The plant’s scientific name (Sedum) is Latin derived from the word, sedeo. This refers to the plant’s growth habit of sitting and sprawling over stones. Reflexum means “bent backward”, the alternate, rupestre, is a reference to rocks. Other common names include Blue Spruce sedum, Crooked Yellow Stonecrop, Stone Orpine, Prickmadam and Jenny’s Stonecrop. This succulent with a blue-gray foliage color can quickly reach a height of six or eight inches. Individual plants may spread as wide as two feet. The plant spreads rapidly forming a dense mat of bluish green leaves arranged on their stems much like spruce needles.