Scientific Name
Prometheum aizoon (Fenzl) 't Hart
Synonym(s)
Chaloupkaea aizoon, Cotyledon aizoon, Rosularia aizoon, Rosularia pallida, Rosularia tauricola, Sedum chrysanthum subsp. aizoon, Sedum chrysanthum var. aizoon, Umbilicus aizoon, Umbilicus pallidus
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Prometheum
Description
Prometheum aizoon, formerly known as Rosularia aizoon, is a succulent plant that forms semi-globular rosettes of densely glandular-hairy leaves. The rosettes grow up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter, producing offsets to form small dense clumps. Leaves are oblong to narrowly elliptic, sometimes spatulate and have rounded apex. They are fresh to blue-green and ochre and papery when dry. Flowers are white, broadly funnel-shaped or opening star-like, dark sulfur to golden-yellow with concolorous or rarely purplish venation and appear in clusters on up to 4 inches (10 cm) tall stems in summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 7a to 9b: from 0 °F (−17.8 °C) to 30 °F (−1.1 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Whether grown outdoors or in, these plants are good to forget about. Too much attention by nervous gardeners will kill the plant. When grown outdoors in a wet environment, ensure the soil is sandy and well-draining. If you aren't careful, your plant will turn into rotten mush. Mix native soil with sand, if necessary. When grown indoors, a standard commercial cactus and succulent soil mix work well. In the event of an unhealthy plant, the first thing to examine is your watering habits.
The most common problem is root rot due to overwatering. If the soil is too wet, don't hope it will safely dry out so long as you don't water it for a while. This plant is best grown outdoors, and if you live in an area where winter's temperatures rarely go below -10°F (-23°C), this is the best for Rosularia.
When potted, these plants are very susceptible to vine weevil. The plant is often used as a bedding or groundcover plant.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Rosularia.
Origin
This species is native to Turkey and Armenia.
Links
- Back to genus Prometheum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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