Sempervivum arachnoideum 'de Samat'

Succulent perennial of the Crassulaceae family, this plant is presented here under an unofficial garden name, given for convenience to designate a population or form collected at the Samat pass, in the Pyrenees. It is by no means a registered cultivar nor a recognized taxon; this name holds value only within the collection where it originated, to trace its geographical origin.

Morphologically, this form is unmistakably linked to Sempervivum arachnoideum by its characteristic webbing and the structure of its rosettes, but it exhibits a distinctly green dominance, with red-brown hues limited to the tips and undersides of the leaves, more discreet than in many other forms of the species. The rosettes, of intermediate size — between 1.5 and 3 cm in diameter — are very tight, and the white webbing, though present, remains rather fine and light, allowing the green foliage to be well visible. Propagation is abundant, forming dense and convex cushions.

The overall coloration varies according to the season and sunlight, with red hues intensifying under water or heat stress conditions, as shown by the visible differences between individuals photographed at different times.

Cultivation conditions are those of the type species: full sun, very well-drained and poor substrate, excellent winter hardiness.