Aeonium

The succulent leaves are typically arranged on a basal stem, in a dense, spreading rosette. A feature which distinguishes this genus from many of its relatives is the manner in which the flowers bear free petals, and are divided into 6 or 12 sections. With the exception of Aeonium simsii, each rosette produces a central inflorescence only once, and then dies back (though it will usually branch or offset to produce ensuing rosettes). Low-growing Aeonium species are A. tabuliforme and A. smithii; large species include A. arboreum and A. valverdense. They are related to the genera Sempervivum, Aichryson and Monanthes, as can be seen by their similar flower and inflorescences. Recently, the genus Greenovia has been placed within Aeonium. == Species and distribution ==

All but two species are native to at least one of three different Macaronesian archipelagos (the Canary Islands, Madeira, or Cape Verde). Most aeoniums are from the Canary Islands, The only species not native to these three Macaronesian island groups (Aeonium stuessyi and Aeonium leucoblepharum) are found in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania; and Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda and Yemen, respectively. Aeonium arboreum is native to both the Canary Islands and Morocco. Species accepted by Plants of the World Online as of April 2023: == Hybrids ==

Much hybridising has been done, resulting in several cultivars of mixed or unknown parentage. The following species and cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:- • Aeonium tabuliforme • Aeonium haworthii • Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty' Hybridising between Aeonium species or cultivars and other Crassulaeceae species or cultivars has produced intergeneric crosses: • x Semponium 'Sienna' (Sempervivum 'Green Ice' x Aeonium 'Ice Warrior'). • x Semponium 'Destiny' - winner of the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show 'Chelsea Plant of the Year 2022' award. Some species have been introduced in California. UK national collections of aeoniums are held by Mellie Lewis at Clun in Shropshire and by Inverewe at Poolewe, Wester Ross in Scotland. ==Images==

File:Aeonium-arboreum-'Atropurpu.jpg|Aeonium arboreum 'Atropurpureum' File:Aeonium aureum (≡ Greenovia. aurea) (Marianne Perdomo) 1.jpg|Aeonium aureum File:Aeonium castello-paivae.jpg|Aeonium castello-paivae File:Aeonium decorum P1050445.JPG|Aeonium decorum File:Aeonium lindleyi P1050450.JPG|Aeonium lindleyi File:Aeonium nobile.jpg|Aeonium nobile File:Aeonium simsii P1050451.JPG|Aeonium simsii File:Aeonium smithii 10-5-2008 12-49-17.JPG|Aeonium smithii File:Aeonium tabuliforme PICT033.jpg|Aeonium tabuliforme File:Aeonium tabuliforme (7577650498).jpg|Aeonium tabuliforme bearing inflorescence File:Aeonium tabuliforme PICT2232.jpg|Detail of Aeonium tabuliforme flower File:Aeonium tabuliforme x arboreum 'Zwartkop' 2.jpg|Aeonium tabuliforme × arboreum 'Zwartkop' File:Aeonium undulatum 092.JPG|Aeonium undulatum File:Aeonium valverdense PICT0545.jpg|Aeonium valverdense ==References==