STONECROP TRIBE 



105 



are supported on their stalks by their centres, or peltate. The 

 flowers are pendulous and grow in racemes ; 6-12 inches high, of a 

 greenish yellow colour. The leaves are well known to children by 

 the name " penny pies." Rocks and old 

 walls in the south and west of England. 

 Fl. June to August. Perennial. 



3. Sempervivum (House-leek) 



1. 5. teetotum (Common House-leek). 

 A common but scarcely indigenous plant 

 erowing on the roofs of cottages. The 

 leaves are thick and juicy, fringed at the 

 edges, and grow in compact, rose-like tufts. 

 Each of the purple flowers contains 12 per- 

 fect and 12 imperfect stamens ; the latter, 

 which are arranged alternately with the 

 petals, frequently bearing anthers contain- 

 ing embryo seeds (ovules) like those found 

 in the carpels, but they never attain ma- 

 turity. The leaves contain malic acid. 

 Fl. July. Perennial. 



Sempervivum Tectorum 

 (Common House-leek) 



4. Sedum (Stonecrop) 



1. S. Rhodiola (Rose-root). Stamens and pistils on 

 separate plants, the pollen bearers having 8 stamens, 

 the seed bearers 4 carpels. A succulent, broad-leafed 

 plant, with the habit of 5. telephium, but stouter. The 

 flowers are greenish yellow, and grow in compact ter- 

 minal cymes on simple stems 6-12 inches high ; roots 

 thick and knotted, having the perfume of rose-water, 

 whence its English name. Abundant on mountains in 

 Scotland, Ireland, and the north of England, and 

 found also on sea cliffs. Fl. June. Perennial. 



2. S. Telephium (Orpine, or Live-long). Leaves 

 oblong, egg-shaped, serrated ; stems erect, 1-2 feet 

 high. The largest British species, and well distin- 

 guished, not only by its corymbs of purple flowers 

 but its large, broad leaves. A common cottage 

 garden plant, frequently occurring as an escape. 



3. S. Anglicum (English Stonecrop). Leaves egg 

 shaped, fleshy, spurred at the base beneath, sessile ; 



cymes 2-cleft ; petals very sharp. A small plant 3-4 inches high, 

 with stems which are at first prostrate and rooting, afterwards 

 erect ; the leaves are mostly alternate, often tinged with red, small, 



Sedum 

 Rhodiola 

 (Rose-root) 



