Orpine...

...also known as Livelong, Midsummer Men or Sedum telephium is the largest native British Sedum. This species is rare in the East Midlands, being largely confined to ancient woodlands  although elsewhere it is more frequent and occurs on waysides, in hedge banks and on  limestone pavement. It tends to form small but very persistent colonies.

There have always been a few plants of orpine in our closest ancient woodland, Thorpe Wood, but in the thirty years I've known the site I've never seen them flower. Last winter the area around it was coppiced, which has allowed in a lot more light, and when I visited this morning I was amazed to see a splendid display of deep pink flowers.

The specific name is derived from Telephus, the son of Hercules, who is said to have discovered its virtues. Its most familiar English name, Orpine, is derived from Auripigmentum, the gold-coloured pigment, called Orpiment, or Orpin, a yellow sulphuret of the metal arsenic. This name, which might have been appropriate enough for the brilliant yellow flowers of some other Sedum species, is quite out of place applied to the crimson blossoms of this Sedum.
Its tenacity of life has earned it the name of 'Live Long' and 'Life Everlasting,' the length of time it will continue fresh after being gathered being remarkable. It will live a long time if uprooted and hung up in a room without earth or water, subsisting on the store of nourishment in its fleshy leaves and swollen roots.There is a superstition which says that if orpine is hung in a home and suddenly dies there will be a death in the family. On the other hand, while it lives it will protect all members of the household. 


An infusion of the leaves has been a popular remedy for diarrhoea in various countries for centuries, as the plant has astringent properties. The 16th century German herbalist, Hieronymus Tragus, believed that distilled water of the plant was good for the stomach and bowels, and “ulcers in the lungs, liver and other inward parts.” The root has been used to relieve burns and inflammation of wounds and skin, with the juice of the leaves being used effectively for burns, scalds and other skin problems. The plant’s juice has been made into a syrup with honey and given for sore throats, and poultices of the leaves have been applied to boils and carbuncles to stop pain.