What is "sedoheptulose"

n. (context biochemistry English) A heptose ketose widely distributed in plants of the family Crassulaceae especially in the leaves of the sedum; it plays a part in the fixation of carbon dioxide by photosynthesis

Sedoheptulose or D-altro-heptulose is a ketoheptose — a monosaccharide with seven carbon atoms and a ketone functional group. It is one of the few heptoses found in nature.