Colorado Stonecrop

<em>Sedum spathulifolium</em>, the Colorado stonecrop or spoon-leaved stonecrop, is a succulent perennial plant in the family Crassulaceae with a native range in western North America and records in seven European countries as well as Colombia. This species has not been evaluated by the IUCN. Stonecrops in the genus <em>Sedum</em> are characteristically drought-tolerant, inhabiting rocky outcrops, cliff faces, talus slopes, and other well-drained terrestrial habitats where competition from larger plants is reduced. <em>Sedum spathulifolium</em> forms low-growing rosettes of fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves that are often coated in a powdery glaucous bloom, which helps reduce water loss in exposed environments. Yellow star-shaped flowers appear in spring and early summer, attracting a range of small pollinators. The species is widely cultivated as a rock garden ornamental owing to its compact habit and attractive foliage, which may explain its presence outside its native range. Like other Crassulaceae, <em>Sedum spathulifolium</em> employs Crassulacean acid metabolism to reduce water loss during photosynthesis. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.