''Sedum morganianum'', the donkey tail or burro's tail, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...
of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. They include all forbs (flowering plants without a woody stem), grasses and grass-like plants, a vast majority of ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Crassulaceae, native to southern
Mexico
Mexico ( Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guate ...
. It is a
succulent perennial
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wide ...
producing trailing stems up to long, with fleshy blue-green leaves and terminal pink to red flowers in summer.
''S. morganianum'' has been found wild in two ravines at
Tenampa Tenampa is a municipality located in the montane central zone in the State of Veracruz, about 30 km from state capital Xalapa. It has a surface area of 69.92 km2. It is located at . In 1455 war came to the municipality by means of the emperor ...
county, in central
Veracruz
Veracruz (), formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave (), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave), is one of the 31 states which, along with Me ...
, in eastern Mexico and on vertical cliffs of igneous rock in the Tropical Deciduous Forest zone. Due to its restricted geographic distribution, it should be regarded as a micro-endemic species.
Cultivation
With a minimum temperature of , in
temperate
In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...
regions ''S. morganianum'' is often cultivated as a
houseplant
A houseplant, sometimes known as a pot plant, potted plant, or an indoor plant, is an ornamental plant that is grown indoors. As such, they are found in places like residences and offices, mainly for decorative purposes. Common houseplants are us ...
in a suspended container, where the trailing stems hang vertically.
This plant has gained 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 (No ...
's
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 morganianum'' grows well outside or indoors, in very good light but not extreme heat. The plant is best grown in full sunlight for strong growth and to enhance leaf coloration. It requires regular, moderate watering all year, except in winter, when it should be infrequently watered. Excess water can damage the plant in a short time.
Even at high latitudes leaves will readily propagate in south facing light (Northern Hemisphere) or north facing light (Southern Hemisphere).
Plants are usually propagated by stem or leaf cuttings. The leaf attachment is quite delicate and leaves will readily break off the stem when manipulated. The leaves will stay alive for many days and roots will emerge after a few days, especially with local humidity. Individual leaves will produce inches-long plants.
This plant exhibits a clear and visible wax layer on its leaves and/or stems.
Gallery
Image:Sedum_morganianum_'Burrito'_c-3098_-_01.jpg
Image:Sedum morganianum 'Burrito' c-3098 - 02.jpg
Image:Sedum morganianum.jpg
Image:Mauerpfeffer_Stecklinge.jpg, Leaf cutting with fresh sprout (left), stem cutting with shoot (right)
Image:Sedum burrito.jpg, 'Burrito' cultivar
References
External links
Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)CalPhotos: ''Sedum morganianum''
morganianum
Flora of Honduras
Garden plants of North America
Drought-tolerant plants
House plants
Flora of Chiapas
Flora of Puebla
Flora of Veracruz
{{Crassulaceae-stub