HOUSELEEK
Spider web houseleek
Family : Crassulaceae
Category : perennial
Height : 5 to 15 cm
Color : pink
Flowering : June to September
Habitat : between 1000 and 3000 m
Protection : yes
Toxicity : no
Frequency : frequent
DESCRIPTION
Herbaceous plant 5 to 15 cm high with fleshy stem covered with glands and hair and often reddish pruinée. Thin basal leaves grouped into many basal rosettes up to 2 cm wide and giving the impression of being covered with a spider's web. Leaves oval-oblong reddish-brown, arranged like scales around the stem. At the end of the latter appear several bright red flowers 1 to 2 cm in diameter with numerous tapered petals.
HISTORY
Spider web houseleek (sempervirum arcachnoideum). Blooms only only once. The Latin name sempervirum emphasizes that, dried and put in herbarium, it continues to live several months. Formerly houseleeks were grown on the roof of the cottages, it was thought she protected them from lightning.
HABITAT
Almost everywhere in the Alps; cracks and screes of rocks, stony lawns; only on soils with little limestone; between 1000 and 3000 m altitude.
PARTICULARITIES
Leaf rosettes torn by the wind may take root elsewhere. Medicinal plant, used against burns and hemorrhoids.
Its long whitish hairs that look like a spider's web depend on its sunshine. Houseleeks are "succulents" whose life strategy is based on the reserves of water and sugar stored in the leaves. Most houseleeks live in a very dry place.
THREAT
This flower is protected, do not pick it !
Houseleek roof
Family : Crassulaceae
Category : perennial
Height : 10 to 60 cm
Color : pink
Flowering : July to October
Habitat : up to 2500 m
Protection : no
Toxicity : no
Frequency : frequent
DESCRIPTION
Flowers grouped at the top of a reddish spike; they are in stars formed of about fifteen rigid petals pink and streaked with red with many stamens. Plant formed of rosettes of thick leaves, rich in suc, green with a reddish tip. Low plant in very dense pads. Looks like an artichoke of small size (2 to 8 cm).
HISTORY
It was cultivated by the Greeks and Romans. Formerly houseleeks were grown on the roof of the cottages, it was thought she protected them from lightning.
HABITAT
It meets on rocks and walls, rises up to 2500 m.
PARTICULARITIES
Medicinal properties: the suc of the houseleek is astringent, refreshing, antispasmodic, hemostatic. The crushed fresh leaves are used to soothe insect bites. Culinary uses: tender leaves in salads.