Hylotelephium telephioides aka Allegheny Stonecrop

Hylotelephium telephioides belongs to the stonecrop family, Crassulaceae. It is a succulent perennial: it stores water and lives for years. People call it Allegheny stonecrop or American orpine. Its old names include Sedum telephioides and Anacampseros telephioides. Its native range spans southeastern Canada. It also spans the central and eastern United States. It grows in a temperate climate. In the Appalachians, it grows chiefly on higher ground. It grows on rock outcrops and slopes, in woods, and along roads. In North Carolina, it grows in the mountains. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This plant forms clumps of upright stems with fleshy leaves. It grows about 1–1.25 feet [0.30–0.38 metres] tall. The stems have no scent. Each green leaf is simple, with no hairs. Most leaves take turns along the stem. Some grow in pairs on each side. Some join the stem with no stalk. Others have short stalks. Leaves range from spoon-shaped to broad near the tip. Some have a narrow base and grow wider above. Their edges may be smooth or toothed. A pale, waxy bloom often coats the leaves. Leaves get smaller near the stem tips.

Flowers open from summer into early fall. Each small bloom has five petals in a star shape. The petals are white or tinged pale pink. Each flower has a green keel. The blooms form broad groups called corymbose cymes. These heads span about 0.25 feet [0.08 metres]. The close-packed blooms give them a soft, fuzzy look. Their pale hues stand out against the green leaves below. The plant bears dry fruits called follicles.

Grow this stonecrop in full sun or part shade. It suits dry, rocky ground and grows in loam too. Its soil can be dry at times or very dry. It copes with drought, so it suits dry gardens. Its short clumps fit the front of a border. It also suits rock gardens and cottage gardens. It fits plantings of native plants too. The flowers add interest in summer and early fall. To raise more plants, split clumps or take leaf cuttings.

Southern blight is a known disease risk for this plant. Growers may mistake it for Hylotelephium telephium, a different species. The supplied sources give no hardiness rating for this species. They give no evidence on which parts people can eat. Nor do they say whether this plant is toxic.