Botanical atlas

Wallpepper

Sedum acre

Wallpepper earned its name honestly: nibble a leaf and the sharp, peppery bite explains both the common name and the species name acre, Latin for sharp or acrid. Old European herbals record it being used sparingly and externally in folk practice, most often dabbed onto warts and corns, though herbalists of the time also warned that the plant was harsh and not to be trifled with. In cottage gardens it was prized less as medicine and more as a tough, cheerful little survivor, planted along stone walls and dry banks where almost nothing else would take hold. Its true legacy today is as one of the most reliable, low-maintenance groundcovers a gardener can grow.

Safety.

Every part of wallpepper contains irritant compounds that can inflame the mouth and stomach, causing nausea and vomiting if eaten, and the sap can irritate sensitive skin. It is also toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, so keep pets and grazing animals away, and it should never be used internally as a home remedy.