Diamorpha

Diamorpha is a genus of plants in the family Crassulaceae. It is sometimes included within the genus Sedum.[1] It is monotypic,[2] including only the species Diamorpha smallii (also known as elf orpine[3] or Small's stonecrop [4]), an endemic of the southeastern United States. It becomes active in late fall and winter, blooms in late March, then dies. It has red succulent leaves that act to reflect light and hold water. Diamorpha smallii is found primarily on solution pools, shallow basins on rocky outcrops that contain seasonal pools. The plant is mainly found in Georgia, though populations have also been noted in Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. It is listed as an endangered species[5] by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

Diamorpha in early spring

Diamorpha in Bloom at Arabia Mountain Georgia

Diamorpha
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Saxifragales
Family:	Crassulaceae
Genus:	Diamorpha Nutt.
Species:	D. smallii
Binomial name
Diamorpha smallii Britton

References

1. "Diamorpha". The Plant List. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
2. Flora of North America Diamorpha
3. "Diamorpha smallii". Southeastern Flora.
4. "Diamorpha smallii Britton ex Small elf orpine". USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.
5. Todd Crabtree (2008). "Tennessee Natural Heritage Program Rare Plant List" (PDF). Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Natural Areas. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-04-23. Retrieved 2009-05-11.