Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Magnoliophyta
Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Sub-Class Rosidae
Order Rosales
Family Crassulaceae
Genus Greenovia
Species Approximately 4
A
monocarpic rosette forming
Crassulaceae, similar in appearance to
aeonium,
jovibarba,
sempervivum, and
echeveria. This genus can be found primarily on
Tenerife, in the
Canary Islands.
This genus is visually distinct from similar
rosette forming
Crassulaceae due to its bright
green leaves, dense, symmetrical rosettes and yellow
flowers (which can be as big as the main
rosette itself) which grow from a single, and impressively sized,
inflorescence. As well, the rosettes tend to have a more distinctly
rosebud shape, rather than the more flattened rosettes of similar
genera.
Although the genus is typically
monocarpic, the rosettes of some species will survive flowering (
Greenovia aizoon). Some species will produce offsets (though they are not prolific).
Propagation occurs mostly through
pollination or
leaf cuttings (though
leaf cuttings are notably difficult with this
genus).
CONDITIONS PREFERRED:
As with most of the similar
Crassulaceae genera, this plant does well in poor soil so long as it drains well. In fact
in situ, this plant commonly grows in rock crevasses with very little soil at all.
In the summer, the
rosette will close tightly and the leaves will turn orange or
rusty red. This is due to the
summer conditions of it's native
habitat. Lower humidity and less rain will induce
dormancy, and once these conditions change the plant will reopen and show new
growth within a few weeks.
This
genus is rarely seen outside of its native
habitat -- in fact there are very few
Botanical Institutions which are cultivating this
genus. Hopefully this will change soon, as
greenovia is becoming rare even in its native habitat.
Known Species
- Greenovia aizoon
- Greenovia aurea (largest and most common)
- Greenovia diplocycla (will not form offsets, propagate only through pollination or leaf cuttings)
- Greenovia dodrentalis
Cultivation information for the hobby-grower is almost non-existant as this is such a rare plant.