The Crassulaceae, also known as the stonecrop family or the orpine family, are a diverse family of dicotyledon flowering plants characterized by succulent leaves and a unique form of photosynthesis, known as Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). Flowers generally have five floral parts. Crassulaceae are usually herbaceous but there are some subshrubs, and relatively few treelike or aquatic plants. Crassulaceae are a medium size monophyletic family in the core eudicots, among the order Saxifragales, whose diversity has made infrafamilial classification very difficult. The family includes approximately 1,400 species and 34–35 genera, depending on the circumscription of the genus Sedum, and distributed over three subfamilies. Members of the Crassulaceae are found worldwide, but mostly in the Northern Hemisphere and southern Africa, typically in dry and/or cold areas where water may be scarce, although a few are aquatic.
Sempervivum is a genus of about 40 species of flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, commonly known as houseleeks. Other common names include liveforever and hen and chicks, a name shared with plants of other genera as well. They are succulent perennials forming mats composed of tufted leaves in rosettes. In favourable conditions they spread rapidly via offsets, and several species are valued in cultivation as groundcover for dry, sunny locations.
Aichryson is a genus of about 15 species of succulent, subtropical plants, mostly native to the Canary Islands, with a few in the Azores, Madeira and Morocco.
Jovibarba is a small genus of three species of succulent flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, endemic to mountainous regions in the southeastern quadrant of Europe. The genus is sometimes classified as a subgenus of Sempervivum, to which it is closely related. Jovibarba have pale-greenish-yellow or yellow actinomorphic flowers with about six petals, while Sempervivum have generally pinkish flowers with around twice as many petals, which open more widely than jovibarba flowers. The common name hen and chicks is applied to some Jovibarba species.
A plant cutting is a piece of a plant that is used in horticulture for vegetative (asexual) propagation. A piece of the stem or root of the source plant is placed in a suitable medium such as moist soil. If the conditions are suitable, the plant piece will begin to grow as a new plant independent of the parent, a process known as striking. A stem cutting produces new roots, and a root cutting produces new stems. Some plants can be grown from leaf pieces, called leaf cuttings, which produce both stems and roots. The scions used in grafting are also called cuttings.
Sempervivum tectorum, the common houseleek, is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae, native to the mountains of southern Europe, cultivated in the whole of Europe for its appearance and a Roman tradition claiming that it protects buildings against lightning strikes.
Dudleya edulis is a species of perennial succulent plant known by the common names fingertips, lady fingers, mission lettuce and the San Diego dudleya. The common name denotes the finger-like shape of the leaves, while the specific epithet edulis refers to the use of the young scapes as food by the Kumeyaay. It is native to Southern California and northern Baja California, and grows on rocky hillsides, cliffs, and bare rock.
Sedum album, the white stonecrop, is a flowering plant of the genus Sedum in the family Crassulaceae. It is found in the northern temperate regions of the world, often growing in crevices or free-draining rocky soil. As a long-day plant it grows vegetatively for most of the year and flowers in summer.
Sedum rubrotinctum or Sedum × rubrotinctum, commonly known as jelly-beans, jelly bean plant, or pork and beans, is a species of Sedum from the plant family Crassulaceae. It is a succulent plant originating in Mexico. The common English name refers to its short leaves that resemble jelly beans, especially when taking on a protective hue.
In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word succulent comes from the Latin word sucus, meaning "juice" or "sap".
Sedum dendroideum, commonly known as the tree stonecrop or the false hens-and-chickens, is a shrub-like perennial plant that looks much like its Sempervivum look-alike. Native to Mexico, Sedum dendroideum plant thrives in warm, arid climates, as well as in cooler climates. It has been naturalized to California, and Ohio.
Sempervivum altum is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae, native to the Caucasus Mountains. Like other members of the houseleek genus, it grows succulent leaves in rosettes. The rosettes of S. altum are 1–5 cm across, and the leaves are pubescent or pilose. The flowers are pink edged with white, with yellow anthers, growing on a stem 30–40 cm tall. The species was described in 1936 by William Bertram Turrill based on specimens collected by P.L. Giuseppi in a 1935 expedition to the Caucasus Mountains. It is closely related to S. ingwersenii and S. ossetiense from the same region. As of June 2013, the name is not accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.
Jovibarba globifera, common name rolling hen-and-chicks, is a species of succulent flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae.
Jovibarba heuffelii, common name hen-and-chickens, as a plant species native to the Balkans and to the Carpathians in Europe but reportedly naturalized in Wisconsin and probably in other parts of North America. It grows on rocky outcrops.
Crassula ovata, commonly known as jade plant, lucky plant, money plant or money tree, is a succulent plant with small pink or white flowers that is native to the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, and Mozambique; it is common as a houseplant worldwide. Much of its popularity stems from the low levels of care needed; the jade plant requires little water and can survive in most indoor conditions. It is sometimes referred to as the money tree; however, Pachira aquatica also has this nickname.
Sedum adolphi, the coppertone stonecrop or golden Sedum, is a species of succulent plant in the family Crassulaceae. It is native to Mexico, where it grows in rocky terrain and on cliff faces. It has also become naturalized in Sicily and the Canary Islands. It is known for its bright orange-copper leaves and white flowers that bloom in the spring.
Hen and chicken is a common name for several unrelated groups of plants. The name refers to the tendency of certain of these species to reproduce vegetatively by means of plantlets. These tiny plants are produced by the mother plant, and take root on touching the ground.
Sempervivum marmoreum is a succulent plant in the family Crassulaceae native to south-eastern Europe and central Europe. Sempervivum marmoreum naturally grows on rocky outcrops with southern exposure.
Sempervivum ciliosum, the Teneriffe houseleek, is a species of flowering plant in the stonecrop family Crassulaceae, native to Southeastern Europe. Growing to just 10 cm (3.9 in) high by 50 cm (20 in) wide, it is a spreading evergreen perennial. It forms spheres of pointed, succulent, hairy grey-green leaves. Mature rosettes may produce yellowish flowers on stalks up to 10 cm (3.9 in) in summer. Despite a superficial resemblance, houseleeks are not closely related to cacti.
Sedum praealtum, also known as shrubby stonecrop or green cockscomb is a small, woody succulent shrub in the stonecrop family that is native to Mexico.
