Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Succulent Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 1 m to 1.5 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 1 m to 1.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | This cultivar is of horticultural origin. |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Succulent up to 1.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Smooth, glossy leaves are dark purple to blackish and oblanceolate (lance-shaped, but wider near the tip). The leaf margin is lined with short, white hairs. The leaves are densely arranged in a rosette that resembles a chrysanthemum flower. |
| Stems | The leaves are tightly clustered at the stem tips, leaving large sections of stem bare near the base. |
| Flowers | Small, yellow flowers are star-shaped and arranged in a large, cone-shaped inflorescence known as a panicle. |
| Taxonomy | There is some debate whether the cultivar name should be 'Zwartkop' (Dutch for black head) or 'Schwartzkopf' (the same meaning but in German). This cultivar was originally thought to be a sport of Aeonium arboretum (a plant derived from a spontaneous mutation in the parent which makes it distinctly different and whose characteristics can be passed on to offspring via vegetative propagation). Some horticulturalists question this parentage based on its origin and suggest that it may have originated from Aeonium manriqueorum. |
| Cultivation | In nature, Aeoniums are often dormant in the summer and grow during the winter when the climate is cool and rainy. This cultivar may become dormant and eventually die after prolonged exposure to hot weather. It requires bright light, but should be protected from intense afternoon sun. Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry out before re-watering. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
| Thematic Landscaping | Rockery / Desert Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Black, Purple |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblanceolate) |
| Foliar Margin | Ciliate / Hairy |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
References
| References |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31933 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6335 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |