''Sedum rubrotinctum'' or ''Sedum'' × ''rubrotinctum'', and commonly known as jelly-beans, jelly bean plant, or pork and beans. It is a species of ''

Sedum ''Sedum'' is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, members of which are commonly known as stonecrops. The genus has been described as containing up to 600 species, subsequently reduced to 400–500. They are leaf succul ...

'' from the plant family

Crassulaceae The Crassulaceae (from Latin ''crassus'', thick), also known as the stonecrop family or the orpine family, are a diverse family of dicotyledon flowering plants characterized by succulent leaves and a unique form of photosynthesis, known as Crass ...

. It is a

succulent plant In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word ''succulent'' comes from the Latin word ''sucus'', me ...

originating in Mexico.

Name

Granite cliff with pink jelly bean plant and common houseleek

The plant is nicknamed for its short leaves that resemble

jelly bean Jelly beans are small bean shaped sugar candies with soft candy shells and thick gel interiors (see gelatin and jelly). The confection is primarily made of sugar and sold in a wide variety of colors and flavors. History It has been clai ...

s, especially when taking on a protective hue. It was named officially as a distinct species in 1948.

Description

The leaves of ''Sedum rubrotinctum'' change colour from green to red during the summer months as a protective adaptation. The plant sprouts bright yellow flowers from between the leaves in mid-spring. ;Taxonomy It has also been classified as a

hybrid plant In biology, a hybrid is the offspring resulting from combining the qualities of two organisms of different breeds, varieties, species or genera through sexual reproduction. Hybrids are not always intermediates between their parents (such as in ...

''Sedum'' × ''rubrotinctum''; R.T.Clausen (1948) — of × — named ''Sedum'' × ''rubrotinctum''.

Cultivation

''Sedum rubrotinctum'' is cultivated as an

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or garden plants are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars that ...

, for planting in gardens and as potted plants. It is grown very easily and tolerates all types of soil except for those that are poorly drained. It grows very well in summer, can take variations in climate, although it is not frost-tolerant. New plants may be grown from leaves (or beans) that drop off or are separated from the stem and laid on soil. This plant has won the

Royal Horticultural Society The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), founded in 1804 as the Horticultural Society of London, is the UK's leading gardening charity. The RHS promotes horticulture through its five gardens at Wisley (Surrey), Hyde Hall (Essex), Harlow Carr (Nor ...

Award of Garden Merit The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions. History The Award of Garden Merit ...

. ''Sedum rubrotinctum'' is poisonous and may cause irritation when ingested or touched.

References

External links

IPNI ListingKew Plant List
Sedum_rubrotinctum_7

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2706112 rubrotinctum Endemic flora of Mexico Garden plants of North America Drought-tolerant plants Groundcovers