Description: Thick, succulent leaves alternate up the stem which holds a tight cluster of red flowers with barely spread apart petals.

Habitat: Found at mid to high elevations on wet ledges and rocky stream banks.

Edibility: Sedums are entirely edible and were a regular, year-round food source for Native Americans.

Medicinal uses: Like aloe vera, the juice of this plant is a ready treatment for minor burns, insect bites and skin irritations.

Comments: Recognizing sedums is a valuable skill for outdoor enthusiasts who may find themselves in survival situations. Even in the winter their stems and leaves can be found and dug out of the snow for food.