Sedum lanceolatum subspecies lanceolatum.  Synonym: Amerosedum lanceolatum. (Yellow Stonecrop). 
Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

Foothills, montane, subalpine, alpine. Rock, gravel openings. Summer.
Mesa Verde National Park, Prater Ridge Trail, June 3, 2004.

The rich maroons and yellows of Yellow Stonecrop are easily spotted, for the plant commonly grows on open rock and gravel thriving in full sunlight and heat. The tiny, bulbous-looking, red-purple fleshy leaves appear at first to be some scattered bits of fungus. They elongate to about four inches and are topped by bright yellow buds and then flowers.

The Sedum genus was named by Linnaeus in 1753, and was renamed Amerosedum by Löve in 1985. Edwin Greene collected the first specimens of this species for science in the Pikes Peak area of Colorado in 1820 and John Torrey named this plant Sedum lanceolatum in 1827.

"Amerosedum" means "American Sedum" and "lanceolatum" describes the leaf shape. "Sedum" is from the Latin "sedo", "to sit," and refers to the fact that some species attach themselves to stones. The common name, "Stonecrop", could have one of several archaic word meanings: these Sedums are "the crop produced by stones" or they are "the top [i.e. the "crop"] of the stones".

Sedum lanceolatum subspecies lanceolatum.  (Yellow Stonecrop).  Synonym: Amerosedum lanceolatum.
Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

Foothills, montane, subalpine, alpine. Rock, gravel openings. Summer.
Prairie Dog Knoll Trail, Abajo Mountains, Utah, June 25, 2004.

This is the hiker's view looking down on the tiny dots of maroon and brilliant flares of yellow.

Sedum lanceolatum subspecies lanceolatum.   Synonym: Amerosedum lanceolatum.  (Yellow Stonecrop).
Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

Foothills, montane, subalpine, alpine. Rock, gravel openings. Summer.
Prairie Dog Knoll Trail, Abajo Mountains, Utah, June 25, 2004.

Sedum lanceolatum subspecies lanceolatum.   Synonym: Amerosedum lanceolatum.  (Yellow Stonecrop).
Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

Foothills, montane, subalpine, alpine. Rock, gravel openings. Summer.
Mesa Verde National Park, Prater Ridge Trail, June 3, 2004.

Sedum lanceolatum subspecies lanceolatum.   Synonym: Amerosedum lanceolatum.  (Yellow Stonecrop).
Crassulaceae (Stonecrop Family)

Foothills, montane, subalpine, alpine. Rock, gravel openings. Summer.
Prairie Dog Knoll Trail, Abajo Mountains, Utah, July 10, 2007.

Even as the flowers die, they have a special, ragged beauty.

Click to see more Sedum lanceolatum.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Sedum lanceolatum