Scientific Name
Sempervivum globiferum subsp. allionii (Jord. & Fourr.) 't Hart & B.Bleij
Common Name(s)
Rollers, Roller
Synonym(s)
Diopogon allionii, Diopogon arenarius subsp. allionii, Diopogon hirtus subsp. allionii, Jovibarba allionii, Jovibarba globifera subsp. allionii, Jovibarba hirta subsp. allionii, Sempervivum allionii
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Sempervivum
Etymology
The subspecific epithet "allionii" (pronounced "al-ee-OH-nee-eye") honors Carlo Allioni (1728-1804), an Italian physician and professor of botany at the University of Turin.
Origin
Sempervivum globiferum subsp. allionii is native to the southwestern Alps (France and Italy).
Description
Sempervivum globiferum subsp. allionii, formerly known as Jovibarba globifera subsp. allionii, is a cute, small succulent that forms hemispherical rosettes of pale green to almost yellow leaves, often with reddish-brown tips. The rosettes can reach a diameter of 1.6 inches (4 cm) and produce numerous round offsets that are lightly attached to delicate stolons and easily roll away from the mother rosette to put down roots. The leaves are fleshy, finely hairy, lance-shaped, and curved. They can measure up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) long and 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) wide.
The flowers have six pale greenish-yellow or yellow petals and appear in clusters on leafy stalks that can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall. They occur in summer and can reach a diameter of 0.4 inches (1 cm). The offsets survive the mother rosette that dies after flowering.
How to Grow and Care for Sempervivum globiferum subsp. allionii
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 4a to 10b: from -30°F (-34.4°C) to 40°F (4.4°C).
Sempervivums are not difficult to grow, provided they are not waterlogged and killed by excess watering. They can be easily grown outdoors and in containers, and they earned the name "Houseleeks" because they tend to root on the roofs of houses. After the mother plant flowers, it will naturally die, but it has likely produced many offsets that will have continued to grow by this time. These are excellent for cold windows. Sempervivum earned its popular name, "Hen and Chicks," from their growth habit. The mother plant, or hen, sends off numerous offsets, clustering around her base like chicks. These offsets can be easily repotted, or the plants can be left to form a clumping mat.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a succulent, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, removing any rotted or dead roots. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill it with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sempervivum.
Links
- Back to genus Sempervivum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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