United States
£ GBP
Language: English
A reprint of Praeger's classic 1932 work, which provides a systematic description of the Sempervivum-group (Crassulaceae) in order to resolve the confused state of Sempervivum in our gardens and horticultural books.
Sempervivums (Hauswurz, houseleeks, liveforever, hen and chicks) found in gardens are often hybrids. They occur from the Canary Islands to Great Britain to the Himalaya.
Where species are so variable and hybridization is so rampant as in the Sempervivum-Group, only prolonged field-work and cultivation will lead to reliable results. In the present instance, by growing all the plants for at least several years under similar and uniform conditions, and observing them at all seasons, the author presents an account of the group in which, he hopes, error has been reduced to a minimum.
The first part of An Account of the Sempervivum Group provides a general introduction to systematics, history, variability, hybrids, parasites, epiphytes, teratology, cultivation, economics and hardy Sempervivums in gardens. The systematic second part provides descriptions and illustrations of Sempervivum, Aichryson, Aeonium, Greenovia and Monanthes of the Sempervivum-Group.
An addendum with garden names and an index with species and synonym names complete An Account of the Sempervivum Group.
Part I: General
Preliminary 1
Systematics 3
History 6
Hardy Sempervivums 7
Tender Sempervivums 10
Variability 15
Hybrids 17
Parasites 20
Epiphytes 21
Teratology 22
Cultivation 24
Economics 25
Hardy Sempervivums in the Garden 26
Sources of Material 31
Notes on the Text 32
The Figures 33
Part II: Systematic
Sempervivum Linn 34
Aichryson Webb & Berth. 104
Aeonium Webb & Berth. 129
Greenovia Webb 214
Monanthes Haworth 224
Excluded species and doubtful names 245
Index 257
"Praeger’s classic work of 1932 provides a systematic description of the Sempervivum group (Crassulaceae). This reprint has been done from the 1967 reprint where the author’s name is stated as L R Praeger. However the original 1932 edition published by The Royal Horticultural Society clearly shows the author’s name as R Lloyd Praeger and this is of course, the correct name. This unfortunate error however does not deter from the contents.
The book is in two parts. The first part provides a general introduction to the systematics and history of the group as well as looking at variability and hybrids, cultivation and hardiness in gardens, and even economic uses (very few). The second part is the ‘meat’ of the book and provides descriptions and illustrations (detailed black and white line drawings) of the plants in the Sempervivum group, namely Sempervivum, Aichryson, Aeonium, Greenovia and Monanthes.
An addendum with garden names and an index with species names and synonyms complete the volume. If you do not have the original or the 1967 reprint, then this high quality hardback edition is well worth buying if you have an interest in this group of plants. This is a classic monograph on the group and the original is now a collectors’ item, especially if in good condition."
- CactusWorld Vol. 30 (2)
