Crassulaceae - Genus Aeonium - Aeonium smithii



Aeonium smithii (Sims) Webb & Berth.

A very distinct plant, small shrub. Its most remarkable character is very coarse bristly hair which clothes the upper part of the otherwise naked, gnarled, knotted stems; its largish leaves, rather irregular on the surface and edges, marked on both faces with longitudinal glands, are also characteristic, as are its very large yellow flowers.

 Stems up to 60/70 m high and 0.8/6cm diam. The fleshy rosette 5/15cm diam. Leaves sometime rather wavy and irregular (see photo very old stem). Flowers 10- (8 to 12) parted and about 2cm across.

Flowering from April until end of June.

Hybrids with the Aeonium spathulatum as they grow often on the same site

Habitat: grows on rocky surfaces, as from 300 meter up to 2380m. Vilaflor, Tamaimo, Lladera de Guimar, Canades del Teide, Montana de Diego Hernandez, Arafo, Lomo Chupadera, etc. Is abondant on some places . Problem was after publication of an article in "Cactus File" who gave the exact location in Igueste de Candelaria and the plant is very attractive, two years later nearly all plants had been collected by amateur or business people. So pls visit the sites but don't take plants home!!!! Better take a lot of pictures!!!  




One site of the Aeonium smithii


My friend Peter Worgan (Sydney Austr.) in situs
Aeonium smithii
 
Aeonium smithii starting forming flower buds


Aeonium smithii very old plant see the stem !!
 
Aeonium smithii forming secondary roots
 
 
Aeonium smithii , forming new branches Under
the old flowerstalk
 
Aeonium smithii
 
Aeonium smithii - seedlings
 
Aeonium smithii in company of the Ceropegia fusca
 
Aeonium smithii flowerstalk
 
Aeonium smithii flowering on a dry stone wall
in a vineyard
 
Aeonium smithii flowering on a dry stone wall
in a vineyard
 
Aeonium smithii