Sempervivum

LEUCANTHUM / KINDINGERI

S. leucanthum : Elem. Fl. Bulg. 30 (1883). This species was first collected and described from specimens found in the Rila Mountains, Bulgaria. The distribution of this species is apparently limited to the Rila Mountains where it has been re-collected a number of times in the 1930’s. The following is a general description: rosettes 2,5 to 5 cm in diameter, flattish with the inner leaves closed and the outer ones more or less erect. Leaves of rosettes are elongate-cuneate, widest near apex and finely pubescent on both faces, ciliate on edges with hairs of unequal lenght, colour of leaves can vary from pale yellow-green to dark green with a dark pronounced apex; this in some forms almost nonexistent.

Stolons are stout, about 5 to 8 cm in lenght. Lower stems are tall and quite slender with a small inflorescence, petals greenish-yellow, filaments vary from white to purple in individual forms, anthers yellow. This species is quite similar to S. kindingeri (Adamovic), the difference, although S. leucanthum is variable, is that the rosettes are less open and with many more leaves, also much longer stolons. In spite of the hairy nature of its rosettes, S. leucanthum is not a difficult species to grow, but it remains rather rare under cultivation as it increases slowly and is inclined to flower too much.

 S. kindingeri Denkschrift Akad. Wiss. Math.-Nat. Kl.(Wien) 74,  page 125 (1904). A species first found by Kindinger in rock-fissures between Veles and Zelenikovo in Macedonia. The rosettes are 4 to 6 cm in diameter, flattish, open with few leaves and short-stemmed offsets. Leaves of rosettes are cuneate-oblong, glandular-hairy with conspicuous marginal cilia, pale green in colour with a purplish flush at the tips. Flowers have pale yellow petals tinged with pink at the base, filaments purplish, anthers yellow. A beautiful species that is rather intolerant of winter damp and best provided with some form of protection.

 Permission to use this book for publication on ICNet is much appreciated.

  

« back