Ditch Stonecrop

Penthorum sedoides

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Globally secure (G5), nationally secure in both Canada (N5) and the US (N5). Ranked S5 in Ontario and S4 in Quebec. Not listed under SARA. Described as rare in the Ottawa-Hull area in 1978, but widespread across eastern North America.
S22+S26+S63
Rarity Ranks: QC S4 – Apparently Secure, ON S5 – Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Wetland obligate of ditches, marshes, streambanks, floodplain openings, and muddy pond shores. Typical habitats include wet ground, borders of streams and ponds, and Typha marshes. Occurs in prairie swales, roadside ditches, and shallow standing water. In the Outaouais region, associated with riverine marshes and floodplains along the Ottawa River system.
S7+S10+S63

Roles: Fortress/Barrier
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)]

Category: Astringent, Demulcent, Laxative, Tonic, Antitussive
S29+S28
Notes: Tincture of whole plant used as astringent, demulcent, laxative, and tonic. Noted for effectiveness treating catarrhal problems, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, and infantile cholera. Meskwaki used seeds to make cough syrup. Listed in Health Canada NHPID as a homeopathic substance (whole plant).
S29+S28+S36

✅ Edible

Foraging Notes: Leaves used as a potherb by the Cherokee. Perry 1975 documents Cherokee use of leaves as a cooked vegetable. PFAF edibility rating 1 of 5. Not a significant food plant.
S28+S29