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Aeonium aizoon (Bolle) T.Mes

Family: CRASSULACEAE

Publication: Evol. Syst. Crassulaceae 41 1995.

Description

Aeonium aizoon, best known as Greenovia aizoon, is a perennial succulent that forms a clump of tiny, dark green rosettes, with dead leaves persisting on the much-branched very reduced stems. The flowering stem is about 15 cm high, terminating in a flat head of small yellow flowers.

Rosettes: Nearly sessile, 3-5(-6) cm in diameter, flattish, rather open during the dry season (summer).Plants makes several offsets and will form a dense cushion in time.

Leaves: 20-35 mm long, compact, 10-15 mm wide, 1-2 mm thick, oblong-spatulate, apically truncate with apiculate tip, basally broadly attenuate from near the tip, green, densely glandular-pubescent (= hairy), viscid.

Inflorescence: Few flowered, short, flat-topped, floriferous part 2-5 x 4-10 cm, commonly 10- to 40-flowered; peduncle 8-12 cm long, densely leafy; Pedicels 1-3 mm long, pubescent.

Flowers: 17-to 21-merous, bright yellow; Sepals pubescent; Petatals 6-7 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, obovate to broadly oblanceolate, acute, deep yellow. Filaments glabrous.

Origin and Habitat

Tenerife, Canary Islands.

Habitat and ecology: Greenovia aizoon is a rare succulent that naturally occurs in rock crevices, most numerous in the south-east facing rock walls in south-central parts of Tenerife in the sub-alpine zone, about 2,000 metres above sea level, but descending to 800(-600) metres.

Cultivation and Propagation

Greenovia aizoon is easy to grow and is a good choice for stone steps, dry walls or pots. It is easily cultivated in any rich, well drained, slightly stony soil in a sunny spot (best if in morning sun, but will tolerate afternoon heat if cared for). It requires a sunny spot in winter with careful watering as the main growing season is from autumn to late spring. Keep partially shaded in summer.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

  1. Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Crassulaceae” Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 05/Nov/2012

  2. “Botanica: The Illustrated A-Z of Over 10,000 Garden Plants and how to Cultivate Them” Mynah, 1997

  3. Greenovia aizoon Bolle in: “Anales del Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias: Serie, Producción vegetal”, Edizioni 3-4, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias., 1973