아이오니움 데코룸-[정명] Aeonium decorum Webb ex Bolle

Aeonium decorum is a densely branched, bushy species 60 cm tall. Its twisted, erect or pendulous branches, 5-8 mm in diameter, of a beautiful red when young, bear a few aerial roots and rather flat rosettes 5-10 cm wide.

The leaves, thick, obovate to oblanceolate, with an acuminate apex and a cunate base, 2.5-5 cm by 1-1.5 cm, are of a green colour which is nicely coloured with yellow and red depending on the conditions.

The inflorescence is loose and cylindrical, 8-30 cm by 8-20 cm, with a peduncle 10-30 cm, with white, pinkish or reddish flowers with 6-8 petals.

Culture

This species, which is resistant to drought, requires a draining substrate, preferably acidic, full sun to remain well coloured and should preferably be kept frost-free, although it can withstand low sub-zero temperatures.
As with all summer dormant waterings, watering will be done in autumn and spring, slowed down or even completely suspended in the middle of summer (if temperatures are high) as well as in winter in cold weather.

Propagation by rosette cuttings, simple and easy, should be practiced when the plant is in full vegetation (in autumn or spring).

Etymology

- Aeonium: from the Greek aeonios, immortal, in reference to its succulence supposed to ensure a long life.
- decorum: from the Latin decorus, which adorns.

Habitat

It grows on La Gomera and is also known in Tenerife, between 100 and 900 metres above sea level, on arid slopes exposed to the sun.
The hot and dry climate in summer is cooler and humid at higher altitudes. The rainfall, which is low, is distributed from autumn to spring.

Anecdotes

Natural
hybrids - Aeonium x beltranii Bañares 1986 (A. decorum x A. subplanum).
- Aeonium x castellodecorum Bañares, 1986 (A. castello-paivae x A. decorum)
- Aeonium x perezii Bañares, 1990 (A. decorum x A. urbicum).
- x Greenonium laxiflorum Maccarón & Bañares 1990 (Greenovia diplocycla x A. decorum)

Exhibition

Bright (maximum brightness, full sun accepted)

Minimum temperature

-2°C

Substrate

Standard (3 thirds)

Flower colour

White, pinkish or reddish

 

At the French-speaking Cactus: Aeonium decorum Webb ex Bolle 1859 (cactuspro.com)

 

Aeonium decorum Webb ex Bolle | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science