Aeonium viscatum Bolle
Sticky aeonium
Aeonium viscatum, the sticky aeonium, is a notable species within the genus for the sticky (viscid) nature of its leaves, due to secretory glands in the leaf epidermis — an unusual trait in the Aeonium genus. It is a small to medium-sized shrubby succulent, endemic to La Gomera, where it colonizes cliffs, ravines and rocky slopes in the thermocanarian and mesocanarian zones. It is currently treated taxonomically as a subspecies of Aeonium lindleyi (subsp. viscatum), though Bolle's original combination (1861) as a full species continues to be cited in many floras. Like all aeoniums, it is a winter grower: its active growth period runs from autumn through spring, entering dormancy during summer.
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Genus | Aeonium |
| Growth Habit | Small to medium-sized shrubby succulent (30–60 cm), branched from the base; winter grower with summer dormancy |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable (VU) — narrowly endemic to La Gomera; populations are fragmented and threatened by habitat loss, grazing, and invasive species encroachment |
| pH Target | 5.5 – 7.0 |
| Type | Rocky, skeletal, slightly acidic; typical of Gomeran basalt |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Obovate to spatulate, 2–5 cm long, bright green; surface covered with mucilage-secreting glands that give the leaf a sticky texture to the touch. Margins ciliate with short glandular hairs.
ecoSmall, star-shaped, yellow-green to bright yellow, gathered in dense terminal corymbs. Each rosette flowers monocarpically; the plant survives by vegetative branching.
ecoWoody, slender, 5–15 mm in diameter, branching dichotomously; covered with persistent leaf scars giving it an articulated appearance.
ecoFibrous and shallow, adapted to rocky and skeletal substrates. Can form adventitious roots at stem nodes in contact with moist surfaces.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Rocky, skeletal, slightly acidic; typical of Gomeran basalt
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
- 1 Select a young lateral rosette with 3–6 cm of stem
- 2 Cut cleanly with a disinfected scalpel or knife
- 3 Allow to dry in a shaded, ventilated spot for 4–7 days to form a callus
- 4 Place on dry mineral substrate; do not insert too deeply to avoid stem rot
- 5 Begin light watering after 10 days, when first roots appear
- 1 Sow in autumn on the surface of fine perlite at 16–20 °C
- 2 Maintain high ambient humidity with a glass or clear plastic cover
- 3 Seeds are very small; do not cover with substrate
- 4 Germination may be irregular; thin when seedlings reach 1 cm
Keep the plant in partial shade in summer — excess sun combined with dormancy causes irreversible burns
Watering in summer at the same frequency as in winter — causes rapid basal rot
Every 3–4 years at the start of autumn; use small terracotta pots
A single dose at the start of autumn, succulent fertilizer diluted to 25%; do not fertilize in summer
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
No documented toxicity for humans or animals. The glandular secretions are mucilaginous and harmless.
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Plant Health
Basal rot (Fusarium oxysporum) from overwatering in summer — the main cause of loss in cultivation
Mealybugs (Planococcus citri) — favored by leaf stickiness, which traps dust and shelters the insect; inspect regularly
Woolly aphid (Eriosoma) — may colonize young meristems in spring
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"The leaf stickiness of A. viscatum is shared with A. lindleyi but is especially pronounced in subsp. viscatum. Some authors suggest that the glandular secretions help capture small arthropods (passive proto-carnivory), though this hypothesis has not been experimentally demonstrated. The species is rare in cultivation outside botanical gardens specializing in Macaronesian flora."
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Scientific Integrity
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Sources
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.