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Summary

Rhodiola rhodantha is an evergreen perennial plant producing a cluster of flowering stems 10 - 60cm tall from an erect or decumbent rootstock. The flowering stems are often persistent[270]. Accepted Infraspecifics: R. integrifolia subsp. integrifolia. R. integrifolia subsp. leedyi (Rosend. & J.W.Moore) H.Ohba. R. integrifolia subsp. neomexicana (Britton) Kartesz. King’s crown is a high-mountain succulent with edible roots, shoots, leaves, and flowers, all of which can be eaten fresh or cooked. The leaves are slightly bitter but palatable, and the plant was traditionally valued as a wild food. However, because it is uncommon and sometimes rare, it should not be harvested except in emergencies. Best grown in USDA Zones 3–7; not invasive. The genus Rhodiola, treated here as distinct, is included in Sedum by some authors.

Physical Characteristics

Rhodiola is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

R. rosea subsp. integrifolia (Raf.) Kozhevn. R. rosea var. integrifolia (Raf.) R. rosea subsp. integrifolia (Raf.) H.Hara. Sedum integrifolium (Raf.) A.Nelson. Sedum rosea subsp. integrifolium (Raf.) Hultén. Sedum rosea var. integrifolium (Raf.) A.Berger. Tolmachevia integrifolia (Raf.) Á.Löve & D.Löve. Heterotypic Synonyms: Sedum rhodioloides Raf. Accepted Infraspecifics: R. integrifolia subsp. integrifolia. R. integrifolia subsp. leedyi (Rosend. & J.W.Moore) H.Ohba. R. integrifolia subsp. neomexicana (Britton) Kartesz.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Roots, shoots, leaves, flowers edible fresh or cooked (slightly bitter, crisp leaves)[2-3]. Leaves - raw or cooked as a potherb[183, 212 ]. Chopped finely and added to salads[183 ]. Best used when they are young[83 ]. King’s crown (Rhodiola integrifolia), also known as Sedum integrifolium, is a succulent perennial of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), native to high mountain regions of western North America. Like other stonecrops, its roots, shoots, leaves, and flowers are edible either fresh or cooked. The fresh leaves are fleshy, crisp, and slightly bitter, yet overall very palatable, making them suitable for adding to salads or eating raw in moderation. Cooking softens the bitterness while maintaining their moist texture. The roots can be dug at any time of year and, like the aerial parts, may be boiled or roasted for food. Flowers and shoots can be harvested in summer through early autumn, while the plant blooms from June to September [2-3].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position[200 ]. Established plants are drought-tolerant [200 ]. A good plant for the flower border[83 ]. This species has pink to white flowers[200 ]. All members of this genus are said to have edible leaves, though those species that have yellow flowers can cause stomach upsets if they are eaten in quantity[62 , 85 ]. While king’s crown has been historically valued as a food plant, it is uncommon in many areas today and best left to regenerate naturally. Harvesting should be avoided except in true survival situations, especially since some subspecies are rare and at risk [2-3].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring in well-drained soil in a sunny position in a greenhouse. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in early summer of the following year. Division in spring or early summer. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Queen's Crown

Native Range

Native to: Alaska, Alberta, Aleutian Is., British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Kuril Is., Magadan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Primorye, Sakhalin, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Yukon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

It is a native mountain species and is not considered invasive or weedy, though its populations are often sparse and sensitive to over-collection.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not available

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Rhodiola integrifolia	King’s crown	Perennial	0.4	3-7	LMH	N	M	2	0	0
Rhodiola rhodantha	Queen's Crown, Redpod stonecrop	Perennial	0.4	4-8	LMH	N	DM	1	0
Rhodiola rosea	Rose Root	Perennial	0.3	0-0	LMH	N	DM	2	3	3
Rhodiola tibetica		Perennial	0.3	5-9	LMH	N	DM	1	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Author

Raf.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Rhodiola - Raf.