sempervivum

[sem-per-vahy-vuhm]

noun

1. any of various succulent plants belonging to the genus Sempervivum, of the stonecrop family, having leaves in dense basal rosettes and a compact, flat-topped cluster of flowers, and including the houseleek, S. tectorum, and other commonly cultivated species.

sempervivum

/ ˌsɛmpəˈvaɪvəm /

noun

1. See houseleek

Word History and Origins

Origin of sempervivum¹

< New Latin: genus name, Late Latin sempervīvum houseleek, equivalent to Latin semper always + vīvum, neuter singular of vīvus alive, in reference to the plant's durable qualities

Word History and Origins

Origin of sempervivum¹

New Latin, from Latin sempervivus ever-living, from semper always + vivere to live

Example Sentences

As for the “mound,” one possibility is a rosette-shaped succulent, like Sempervivum, Rosularia or Jovibarba.

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One way to reduce watering needs is to plant succulents such as agaves, sempervivum and sedums.

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Why didn’t I think to fill my pots with succulents as she did — plants such as Echeveria, Senecio, Sempervivum and even certain Sedum that deliver a long show with relatively little care?

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I looked back down at the Sempervivum, touching it, squeezing the layers of odd juicy finger-leaves.

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She shuffled through all the pictures we took and pulled out the one I shot of the Sempervivum.

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