Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

Sempervivum tectorum L. Crassulaceae Houseleek, Senegreene Distribution: Europe. Sempervivum means 'live forever', tectorum means 'roof', and was apparently grown on house roofs to protect against lightning. Lyte (1578 distinguishes Stonecrops (Sedum) from Sengreene (Sempervivum) for he advises the latter, alone or mixed with barley meal, applied topically to burns, scalds, St Anthony's fire [erysipelas] , ulcers and sores, will cure them and sore eyes. Apropos of stonecrops (Sedum), he describes the redness and blistering that the sap has on bare skin, and how it is good for poisons for if taken with vinegar by mouth it causes vomiting, but only safe to do so in strong people. He seems fairly confused as to which is which. Not approved by the European Medicines Agency for Traditional Herbal Medicinal use.
Oakeley, Dr. Henry F. (2013). Wellcome Library notes. link

Nomenclature

Sempervivum tectorum L. Crassulaceae Houseleek, Senegreene. Sempervivum means 'live forever', tectorum means 'roof', and was apparently grown on house roofs to protect against lightning.
Oakeley, Dr. Henry F. (2013). Wellcome Library notes. link

OTHER COMMON NAMES: ST PATRICK'S CABBAGE; BULLOCK'S BEARD; BULLOCK'S EYE; DEVIL'S BEARD; EARWORT; FUET;HEALING BLADE; HOMEWORT; IMBROKE; JOVE'S BEARD; JUPITER'S BEARD; JUPITER'S EYE;POOR JAN'S LEAF; RED-LEAVED HOUSELEEK; ROOF FOIL; ROOF HOUSELEEK; SENGREEN; THUNDER PLANT; WELCOME-HOME-HUSBAND-HOWEVER-DRUNK-YOU-BE
The Royal Horticultural Society Horticultural Database, available at www.rhs.org.uk

Geographical distribution

  • Africa, Northern Africa, Morocco
  • Europe, Middle Europe
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, France
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain

Sempervivum tectorum L.

Family: CRASSULACEAE
Genus: Sempervivum
Species: tectorum L.
Common names: Houseleek
Pharmacopoeia Londinensis name: Sedum, Sempervivum
Distribution summary: W., C. & S. Europe
Habit: Succulent
Hardiness: H4 - Hardy; average winter
Habitat: Sunny, dry, rocky hills
Garden status: Not currently grown
Flowering months: June, July
Reason for growing: Medicinal, other use


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