Aichryson
Template:Short description Template:Automatic taxobox
Aichryson is a genus of 16 species of succulent, subtropical plants, native to the Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira.<ref name = powo/>
The species of Aichryson are not frost-resistant. They are related to Sempervivum, Jovibarba, Greenovia, Aeonium and Monanthes, readily seen in their similar flowers.
The genus name comes from a contraction of the Greek "aei" (always) and "chrysos" (gold).<ref name="Eggli Newton 2004">Template:Cite book</ref>
Several species are cultivated as ornamental plants. The hybrid cultivar Aichryson × aizoides var. domesticum 'Variegatum' is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.<ref name = RHSPF>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
TaxonomyEdit
Recent phylogenetic studies of Crassulaceae indicate that Aichryson is closely related to Monanthes and Aeonium (both genera are also largely endemic to the Canary Islands). Two other genera of Crassulaceae that have many-parted (polymerous) flowers (Sempervivum and Jovibarba) are not closely related to the three Canary Island genera.<ref>Ham and 't Hart. (1998). American Journal of Botany, 85: 123–134</ref><ref>Mort et al. (2001). American Journal of Botany, 88: 76–91</ref><ref>Mes and 't Hart. (1996). Molecular Ecology, 5: 351–363</ref><ref>Mort et al. (2002). Systematic Botany, 27: 271–288</ref>
On the Canary Islands, the center of species diversity seems to be the island of La Palma.
Relationships within Aichryson were investigated by Fairfield et al. (2004) [Plant Systematics and Evolution 248: 71–83]. They found that the five subspecies of A. pachycaulon were not each other's closest relatives (monophyletic) and additional species may need to be erected after additional study.
SpeciesEdit
16 species, and several naturally-occurring interspecies hybrids, are accepted.<ref name = powo/>
- Aichryson × aizoides Template:Small
- Aichryson × azuajei Template:Small
- Aichryson bitumosum Template:Small
- Aichryson bollei Template:Small
- Aichryson × bramwellii Template:Small
- Aichryson brevipetalum Template:Small
- Aichryson × buchii Template:Small
- Aichryson × cumbrense Template:Small
- Aichryson dichotomum Template:Small
- Aichryson divaricatum Template:Small
- Aichryson dumosum Template:Small
- Aichryson laxum Template:Small
- Aichryson pachycaulon Template:Small (five subspecies have been recognized)
- Aichryson palmense Template:Small
- Aichryson parlatorei Template:Small
- Aichryson porphyrogennetos Template:Small
- Aichryson × praegeri Template:Small
- Aichryson punctatum Template:Small
- Aichryson roseum Template:Small
- Aichryson santamariensis Template:Small
- Aichryson tortuosum Template:Small – gouty houseleek
- Aichryson villosum Template:Small