Growing in the muck along the side of a stream that overflows its banks frequently and makes hiking a messy prospect, tucked in along with Spotted Jewelweed, I found this.
It’s called Ditch Stonecrop (Penthorum sedoides), and its listed in Peterson’s Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs:
American Indians used seeds in cough syrups. Historically, plant tincture was used as demulcent, laxative, and tonic, for mucous membrane irritations, vaginitis, diarrhea, dysentery, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, piles, chronic bronchitis, and nervous indigestion.
Wow. That’s a lot of stuff. The flowers are supposed to be “white to greenish” but my closeups all had a pink tint:
It can be found throughout the east, and in the northwest in wetlands. Indeed, it is listed by the USDA Plants database as an obligate species for wetlands. So, next time you’re out hiking through muck, keep your eyes open for Ditch Stonecrop!
Learn more:
- http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PESE6&mapType=nativity&photoID=pese6_2v.jpg
- http://ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/penthorumsedo.html
- http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/ellingwood/penthorum.html
A Passion for Nature 
We don’t have that in Montana, but Im sure I saw something quite similar this summer. I just can’t remember where or when. I’ll keep on looking through my photos.
I try to learn something new every day about the fabulous and everchanging diversity of life. Thanks, winterwoman, for your contribution! Yet another great post!
There are always tons of uses for wild plants and I love to learn about them. Great knowledge in a survival situation.