A Thunder plant
A flower of the common houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum), a popular garden succulent after the rain. Houseleeks also called Thunder plants, Roof plants or Roof foil (amongst many others) which originated from early beliefs that they could protect houses from lightning strikes. Whether this is true or not, houseleeks are evergreen, readily self-propagated, with attractive reddish-purple flower spikes. The science name “Sempervivum” translates from Latin ‘forever living’ and refers to its longevity, whereas the epithet “tectorum” means ‘of house roofs’ refers to the original use of the plant. Houseleeks remain popular on green roofs of outbuildings today. Taken in the garden. Bath, BANES; Somerset, England, UK
A Thunder plant
A flower of the common houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum), a popular garden succulent after the rain. Houseleeks also called Thunder plants, Roof plants or Roof foil (amongst many others) which originated from early beliefs that they could protect houses from lightning strikes. Whether this is true or not, houseleeks are evergreen, readily self-propagated, with attractive reddish-purple flower spikes. The science name “Sempervivum” translates from Latin ‘forever living’ and refers to its longevity, whereas the epithet “tectorum” means ‘of house roofs’ refers to the original use of the plant. Houseleeks remain popular on green roofs of outbuildings today. Taken in the garden. Bath, BANES; Somerset, England, UK