Penthorum sedoides

Sizes available: Landscape plug

Basics: zones 2-9, part shade to full sun, 2' x 12-18", small, pale yellow-green to white flowers along an unusual branching structure reminiscent of octopus arms during the summer and turning burnished red-orange as the seeds mature, likes wet to medium-wet soils

Common names: Ditch Stonecrop, Star Fruit, Virginia Stonecrop

Family: Crassulaceae (Penthoraceae)

Origin/Distribution: Currently found in 39 states, its native range is Manitoba east to New Brunswick, south to Florida, west to Texas and up to North Dakota. Penthorum sedoides has established itself, but is not native in the western U.S., in cranberry bogs in particular. This plant is native to Maine.

Habitat: damp ditches and shorelines, marshes, fens, beaver ponds, floodplain low spots

More: Has been used medicinally; will spread by rhizome if happy. 

Nursery: Pizzo Native Nursery

Image credits: Jelitto Staudensamen GmbH; Wikimedia Commons