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Aeonium arboreum "Schwarzkopf Black Rose" Succulent is a Latin word meaning juicy, and is descriptive of many plants and plant families that store water in their leaves, stems and roots. Succulents can survive long periods of drought, even to a year, with this storage capacity. You have only to pinch their leaves to feel the water held within. The ever invasive Ice Plant is a succulent, as well as, Aloe, Cactus, Yucca, Sedum, the wildflower, Lewisa, Aeonium and many others. Aeoniums have handsome rosettes of fleshy leaves, one of which bears a spectacular terminal holding many golden flowers. The plant then dies, flowering only once in its lifetime. It is a repetitive process called monocarpic, and is also evident in the Century Plant, a member of the Agave family. Aeonium arboreum 'Schwartzkopf' is a cultivar with glossy satiny rosettes so dark as to appear black. It will keep this color even in winter as long as it has sunlight. Native to the Canary Islands, Aeoniums do well in our climate but need protection from frost. The entrance border holds these in full bloom. 
IN BLOOM CONTRIBUTORS: Docents Joanne Taylor and Kathy McNeil Profile Contributor: Associate Director of Adult Education, Fred Bové
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