Spatula-leaved Stonecrop

Spatula-leaved stonecrop is a western North American succulent with spoon-shaped leaves arranged in rosettes and yellow star-shaped flowers. [Kew](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/284830-2) accepts Sedum spathulifolium. [VASCAN](https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/name/Sedum%20spathulifolium) records spatula-leaved stonecrop among its common names. The species is distinct from Sedum obtusatum and from selected forms such as ‘Cape Blanco’ and ‘Carnea’. [Washington Native Plant Society](https://www.wnps.org/native-plant-directory/423-sedum-spathulifolium) describes plants around 8–20 cm high on coastal cliffs and rocky ledges. [Las Pilitas Nursery](https://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/629--sedum-spathulifolium) recommends sun to partial shade and careful crown drainage, with greater moisture in winter and spring and much less in the dry season. It suits a rockery, ledge or container where excess water can escape rather than collect around the rosettes. The [San Luis Obispo County January 2014 plant list](https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/departments/planning-building/forms-documents/environmental-forms-and-documents/plants-information/county-approved-plant-list) explicitly names Sedum spathulifolium and assigns F2. F2 identifies its most fire-retardant plants for the 30–70-foot band from a structure. The category is source-specific and is not a guarantee against burning. The county requires suitable soil moisture, uncrowded planting, removal of dead material, separate planting groups and prevention of ground-to-canopy fuel connections. ## Montana MSU — April 2022 source The [Fire-Resistant Plants for Montana Landscapes guide](https://extension-store.montana.edu/montguides/fire-resistant-plants-for-montana-landscapes) lists Sedum spathulifolium (Stonecrop, Broadleaf) in its groundcovers and herbaceous plants table. This is the unqualified species record, separate from named selections. Some source observations concern a single unnamed cultivar, and not all listed plants grow throughout Montana. Any plant can burn if sufficiently dry. Check local suitability, keep plants appropriately watered and spaced, and remove dead vegetation; maintain separate regional source ratings. ## Berkeley — fire-resistant plant list [Berkeley Fire Department's list](https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Fire%20Resistant%20Plant%20List.pdf) includes Stonecrop / Sedum spathulifolium (Groundcover row 7). This association preserves the unselected species; Cape Blanco and other named selections are not substituted. The listing is conditional on plant care, spacing and removal of dead vegetation; no plant is fireproof. Keep this Berkeley listing separate from other regions' source ratings.