


164 THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
but sometimes white, blue, or a purplish pink. The most ornamental species of the genus, and the only one which 
can be called a greenhouse plant, is Sedum Sieboldit. This plant when grown in a pot and supplied with abundance 
of light and air, is one of the most ornamental in the whole range of greenhouse plants, as it spreads widely on every 
side, and is completely covered with its very ornamental heads of flowers. The species is a native of Japan, whence 
it was introduced in 18386. 

GENUS VI. 
SEMPERVIVUM Lin. THE HOUSELEEK. 
Lin, Syst. DODECANDRIA DODECAGYNIA. 
Genrric Cuaracrer.—Calyx from six to twenty-parted. Petals from six to twenty, oblong, acute. Stamens double the number of the petals. 
Scales at the base of the carpels toothed or jagged at the apex. Carpels equal in number to the petals. (@. Don.) 
Descrirtion, &c.—The common Houseleek is one of the best known of English plants, not only because it is. 
common, but because it has been long used for poultices in domestic medicine. It is not, however, so generally 
known that there are many species of Houseleek which are highly ornamental greenhouse plants ; these latter being 
principally natives of the Canary Islands and Madeira. The popular name of Houseleek alludes to the plants being 
found frequently in a wild state growing on the roofs of houses. The name of Sempervivum, which signifies to live 
for ever, alludes to the extraordinary tenacity of life which has been remarked in all the species. 
1.—SEMPERVIVUM GLUTINOSUM Act. THE CLAMMY HOUSELEEK. 
Encravines.— Bot. Mag, t, 1963; and Bot. Reg., t. 278. rather scattered, fringed with adpressed cartilaginous cilie. Petals 
Speciric Cuaracter.—Stem frutescent. Leaves cuneiform, viscid, | eight or ten. (G Don.) 
Description, &c.—The flowers of this species are of a golden-yellow, and they are produced on a large loose 
panicle, which is divided into numerous branches, the scape growing to the height of two feet or more. “The 
foliage is suffused with a transparent viscous confluent excretion, and looks as if newly varnished. Small insects 
are ensnared in this slimy surface.” The fishermen of Madeira are said to rub their nets with the fresh leaves of 
this species, and afterwards to dip them in a solution of soda, or some other alkali, which renders them as durable 
as if they had been tanned. The species is a native of Madeira, whence it was introduced in 1777. 
2.—_SEMPERVIVUM CASPITOSUM C. Smith, THE TUFTED HOUSELEEK. 
Synonymes.—S. ciliatum Sims; S. ciliare Haw.; S. Simsii Sweet; Speciric Cuaracrer.—Radical leaves oblong-oval, acute, ciliated, 
S. barbatum Horn. and spotted. Stem-leaves ligulate. Flowers on corymbose panicles. 
Encravinc.—Bot. Mag,, t. 1978. 
Description, &c.—This plant in its mode of growth bears considerable resemblance to the common Houseleek, 
but both its flowers and leaves are very much more ornamental. It was discovered in the Island of Teneriffe by 
Professor Smith, who was one of the sufferers in the unfortunate expedition up the Congo. All the Houseleeks 
are remarkable for their tenacity of life, and a singular instance of this quality was given by the plant in question, 
as a specimen of it which had been kept eighteen months in paper in the Herbarium of Professor Smith grew 
immediately on being put into the ground. ‘The species is a native of the Canary Islands, and it was introduced 
in 1815. 





