Cotyledon spinosa Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 429. 1753; C. erubescens (Maximowicz) Franchet & Savatier; Orostachys erubescens (Maximowicz) Ohwi; Sedum erubescens (Maximowicz) Ohwi; S. spinosum (Linnaeus) Thunberg; Umbilicus erubescens Maximowicz.

Rosette leaves crowded, oblong; appendage white, suborbicular, cartilaginous, apical spine 2-4 mm. Stem leaves broadly linear to oblanceolate, 1-3 × 0.2-0.5 cm, apex acuminate, apical prickle cartilaginous. Flowering stem 10-30 cm. Inflorescence terminal, spicate or racemose, 5-20 cm; bracts lanceolate to oblong, to 4 mm, apex spinose; pedicels ca. 1 mm or absent. Sepals red spotted, ovate-oblong, 2-3 mm, apex spinose. Petals yellowish green, ovate-lanceolate, 5-7 × ca. 1.5 mm, base connate for ca. 1 mm, apex acuminate. Stamens slightly longer than petals; anthers yellow. Nectar scales subquadrangular, apex emarginate. Follicles erect, ellipsoid-lanceolate, base narrowed, apical beak ca. 1.5 mm. Seeds oblong-ovoid. Fl. Jul-Aug, fr. Sep.

Rock crevices on dry slopes; 600-2900 m. Gansu, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Xinjiang, Xizang [Korea, Mongolia, Russia].