Sempervivum vs. Jovibarba

 Not all the things that look like "hens and chicks" are Sempervivum. There are six genera in the Crassulacaceae family that look similar, but Echiveria, Aeonium, Greenovia and Aichryson look enough different they aren't a big problem. But Sempervivum, Jovibarba and Monanthes are pretty much lookalikes.

I don't know much about Monanthes, but I learned more about Jovibarba when I discovered that I have two of them, and there are only three species.

Both send up a big stalk in the middle of a mature rosette. This is 'Red Heart' a year ago getting ready to bloom.



This is the Sempervivum 'Gold Rush' cultivar in bloom this year. Most of the Sempervivum look like this and have pink flowers, but not all. Apparently, the thing to look for is that there are more than six petals that open like a star.

This is a rather sparse Jovibarba heuffelii that bloomed just a couple of weeks ago. Obviously the flowers are yellow, and they do not open like a star, but stay somewhat bell shaped. (I called this one 'Green Stars' until I learned what it is)

Here is a nice picture of this flower from a couple of years ago. All three of the Jovibarba have yellow bell-shaped flowers.



I've been waiting because it looks like the Jovibarba globerifera (which I called 'Roly Poly' for years until I learned what it really is) is going to bloom. But this big lump hasn't really changed much in 6 weeks! I've never seen this one bloom, so I really want it to succeed! If it ever gets around to it, it should be yellow.

Of course, now I want one of the Sempervivum that blooms in a different color. Supposedly 'Black Lotus' has white flowers, and has dark purple leaves. Might have to look for that one.

Busy day. Editing and stuff, then walked to the bank and PO, and then there was bell choir. I have a weird little stomach ache. I don't think it's anything important, but I may go lie down soon.

See Those Shifty Sempervivum