Why is respecting botanical specificity essential when cultivating Sedum for potential medicinal application?
Safety profiles vary dramatically, and chemically distinct species contain different benefits or toxic compounds
The overarching principle governing the use of stonecrops for therapeutic purposes is the absolute necessity of precise botanical identification. The genus *Sedum* encompasses species with vastly different chemical compositions, leading to widely varying safety profiles and efficacy. For instance, one species may contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (*S. aizoon*), while another, like the ornamental *S. acre*, lacks scientific backing and causes gastrointestinal upset in large doses. Mistaking one species for another can lead to severe adverse effects, thus emphasizing that the specific species name is the single most important identifier for safe application.
