Mountain house-leek (Sempervivum montanum, Sp. Pl.: 465 (1753))

Family: Crassulaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 465 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sempervivum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Pyrenees to W. Carpathians and Italy, Corse

Description

The Mountain house-leek, known scientifically as Sempervivum montanum, is a resilient and visually striking perennial belonging to the Crassulaceae family. This species was first described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus and has since been recognized for its unique adaptability to harsh mountainous environments.

Thriving predominantly in the rugged terrains of the Pyrenees, stretching to the western regions of the Carpathians, and extending its presence to Italy and Corsica, the Mountain house-leek has adapted to some of Europe’s most challenging landscapes. Its ability to withstand extreme conditions makes it a valuable plant for both ecological studies and ornamental gardening in alpine and rocky gardens.

Characteristic of the Crassulaceae family, Sempervivum montanum exhibits fleshy, succulent leaves that form compact, rosette shapes. This unique morphology is not only aesthetically pleasing but also serves a functional purpose, allowing the plant to efficiently store water and thus survive prolonged periods of drought. The rosettes vary in color, often displaying shades of green, red, and purple, adding an eye-catching allure to alpine meadows and rocky outcrops.

The Mountain house-leek’s inflorescence is equally striking, producing tall stalks adorned with star-shaped flowers. Typically blooming in vibrant hues of yellow, pink, or purple, these flowers attract various pollinators, enhancing the plant’s role in its native ecosystems. The flowering period is usually during the summer months, contributing to the seasonal burst of color in its natural habitats.

In addition to its ecological importance, Sempervivum montanum holds cultural and botanical significance. It has been utilized in traditional folk medicine for its purported healing properties and is often associated with various myths and legends in the regions it inhabits. Gardeners and horticulturists value the Mountain house-leek not only for its beauty but also for its low maintenance and hardiness.

In conclusion, the Mountain house-leek (Sempervivum montanum) is a remarkable example of nature’s ingenuity, demonstrating an extraordinary capacity to thrive in some of Europe’s most demanding environments. Its blend of survival skill and ornamental value ensures that it remains a cherished species both in the wild and in cultivated collections.

Common Names

Deu: berg-hauswurz
Swe: bergtaklök
Eng: mountain house-leek
Nno: fjelltaklauk
Nob: fjelltakløk
En: Mountain house-leek, Mountain Houseleek
Ca: Matafoc muntanyenc
Nl: Berghuislook
Fr: Joubarbe des montagnes, Joubarbe de Montagne
De: Gewöhnliche Berg-Hauswurz, Berg-Hauswurz
It: Guardacasa, Semprevivo montano
Nb: Fjelltakløk
Nn: Fjelltaklauk
Sk: Skalnica Wettsteinova
Sv: Bergtaklök

Synonyms

• Sedum montanum ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Sempervivum tectorum subsp. montanum ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Italy (native)
• Poland (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Aug 2, 2018 by Sophie Dashwood (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2019 by Émile Maurice (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2018 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 7, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 2, 2022 by Jean-François Baudin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2020 by Jeff Emerson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2021 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2022 by miriam (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Olivier Zol (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2021 by Philippe Bissières (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 8, 2021 by Philippe Bissières (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Philippe Bissières (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2019 by Émile Maurice (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by mark cairns (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by mark cairns (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2017 by Andre Liberman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2017 by Rem Quince (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2018 by Pitosporo de hojas estrechas – Pittosporum heterophyllum Fernández (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 6, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by Laurent (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2021 by Comotti Ermanno (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2021 by Comotti Ermanno (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Louise Boulangeat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2022 by Melany Haesenbos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8164781)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:276551-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sempervivum montanum L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 4.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Soil nutriments: 1