Description: This native perennial plant is about 1-2' tall. It is either unbranched or branches occasionally in the upper half. The stems are light green to red, angular or round, and glabrous or slightly hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 4" long and 1" across. They are narrowly ovate, finely serrated along the margins, and hairless. There is a prominent mid-vein on the lower side of each leaf, while at the base there is a slender petiole.
The upper stems terminate in cymes of
flowers or cyme-like panicles of flowers. Each cyme has 2-4 flowering stalks
that curve outward; the flowers are aligned on the upper side of these stalks.
Sometimes shorter stalks of flowers develop from the primary stalks. Each
flower is about ¼" across, consisting 5 green spreading sepals, 10
stamens, and 5 beaked carpels that are joined together in the center. Petals
are not usually present. The flowers are green, yellowish green, or whitish
green. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about a month.
During the fall, the carpels turn red and develop into seed capsules. Each of
these capsules contain numerous small seeds. The seeds are narrowly oblongoid,
tapering at one end. The surface of each seed is covered with tiny bumps. The
root system produces rhizomes or stolons, which enables this plant to form
vegetative colonies.
Cultivation:
The preference is partial to full sun, wet conditions, and a mucky soil that
retains moisture. This plant often develops in shallow standing water. It
tolerates conditions that are consistently moist, but the leaves will turn
yellow and shrivel should the soil dry out.
Range &
Habitat: Ditch Stonecrop is fairly common and occurs in every county
of Illinois (see
Distribution
Map). However, it is possible that populations of this species have
declined as a result of the destruction of wetlands throughout the state.
Habitats include openings in floodplain forests, swamps, marshes, muddy shores
along rivers or ponds, and ditches along roadsides and
railroads.
Faunal Associations:
Information about floral-faunal relationships for this species is currently
unavailable.
Photographic Location:
A poorly drained area of prairie at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois. The
photographs were taken during the fall after the blooming
period.
Comments: Some authorities
assign Ditch Stonecrop to the Stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) or Saxifrage
family (Saxifragaceae). However, it is sufficiently unique to be assigned to
its own family, which also includes a few Asiatic species. The flowers are more
or less green and not very showy while in bloom, but later the developing seed
capsules turn red during the fall. Ditch Stonecrop resembles some Sedum
spp. (Stonecrops) somewhat, except that its leaves are not fleshy and
succulent. The most unusual feature of Ditch Stonecrop are the angular carpels
(or seed capsules) and their spreading beaks. These beaks correspond to the
persistent styles of the flower.