This unusual plant resembles members of the genus Sedum in the stonecrop family, giving it a deceiving common name. Some botanists think that it should be in its own family along with a few Asian species.

Ditch stonecrop is a color changling. Early in the season the flowers are an inconspicuous yellow-green, growing on the topside of 2 or 3 diverging branches at the end of an erect stalk that sometimes reclines at its base. The stem is often reddish in color. Each flower is pointed at each and is about 1/5 inch wide. There are 5 petals but these often are absent or drop off early. The 5 pistils are joined together at the base. There are ten stamens.

By late October, the flowers have gone to seed and have turned red. This is the plant’s most colorful state. The fruits are 5-horned crown-like capsules containing many seeds. Each horn or “beak” was formerly a pistil. The leaves are lance-shaped and finely toothed and are not succulent. Leaf length varies from 2-4 inches. The plant grows 1-3 feet tall in wet areas and along shorelines. This species is found throughout central and eastern North America except for the far north.

This plant blooms from July to October. It is also called the Virginia stonecrop.