Aeonium species No. 1   Crassulaceae, (Orpine Family)   Madeira, Canary Islands or N.W. Africa   Aeonium

                                               May Photo

Plant Characteristics: Much branched succulent subshrub, 3 dm. high, growing in a clump as wide; lvs. in rosettes, oblanceolate, glabrous, sessile, 3-6 cm. long, 1-2 cm. wide, light green, with raised longitudinal ridges both sides, 1.5-4 mm. long, tinged with red at tips, with white linear teeth +/- 1 mm. long, tending to point toward leaf tip, and a double tooth at the tip; fls. bright yellow, in cymose clusters with drooping buds; petals 7, +/-  7 mm. long; calyx 7-parted, 4 mm. long, alternate with petals; stamens 14; pedicels 2-3 mm. long; peduncle growing from the center of the lf. rosette, with alternate lvs. shorter than those of rosette, and with fewer teeth than rosette, peduncle lvs. begin to fall at anthesis; styles 7, stigmas 7, ovary superior.  (my description from my notes using Bailey as a guide).

Habitat:  Escape from cultivation.  Warm-temp. region, under glass in cooler climates.  Spring bloomer.

Name:  AEo-nium, dioscoridean name, synonym of AE. arboreum.  (Bailey 466).

General:  Rare in the study area having been found only once and this on the bluff, northerly approx. .25 miles from Big Canyon.  Spotted by John Johnson on a drive along Back Bay Dr. in May 1988.  (my comments).      All the approx. 36 species in this genus are natives of Madeira, Canary Islands and adjacent N.W. Africa.  (Bailey 465).  Differs from Sempervivum primarily in having stems.  (Bailey 465).     See other differences in this and Sempervivum or Echeveria with Aeonium haworthii.   (my comment).      Among the  most useful succulents for decorative effects, in pots or in the ground.  Especially good in full sun near ocean, or part shade inland.  (Sunset Editors, New Western Garden Book 1984. p.170).

Text Ref: Bailey 465.

Photo Ref:  May 2 88 # 2,3,4.

Genus identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.

First Found:  May 1988..

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 406.

Plant specimen donated to UC Riverside in 2004..

Last edit 8/4/05.  

                                  May Photo                                                                 May Photo