Superficial resemblance to : Rock Stonecrop but Rock Stonecrop is taller, has much longer succulent leaves, and has more than one yellow flower at the top of the stalk, which usually have more than five petals.
Uniquely identifiable characteristics
Distinguishing Feature : Tastes peppery, hence the name biting. It contains alkaloids, so do not eat it. The sap is irritant to the skin.
Sedum Acre contains Sedamine, and Pelletierine, both Coniine-type piperidine alkaloids.
Sedamine is a piperidine alkaloid that is named after the Genus Sedum and which is found in Biting Stonecrop. Pelletriene is another piperidine alkaloid found in Biting Stonecrop which has great similarity to the deadly poison Coniine.
Pelletierine is also found in the roots of the Pomegranate plant. It is poisonous and was used medicinally in the 1800's to treat tapeworm infestations. Side effects may include dizziness, imperfect vision, faintness, numbness of extremities and occasionally convulsions. It has been likened to the effects of curare.
Sedridine is probably a minor piperidine alkaloid found in Biting Stonecrop.
Coniine is found in Hemlock Water-Dropwort (and not in Biting Stonecrop). It is shown here for comparison purposes only.
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