Finland Succulents

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Succulents photographed a few meters outside the doorway
to the apartment that I am staying in at Tvärminnen eläintieteellinen asema
(Tvärminne Zoological field research station) in southwestern Finland.
[read more about it: English Suomeksi PÃ¥ Svenska]

Image: GrrlScientist, 15 July 2009 [larger view]. (raw image)

Can you name the species?

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It's a species of either Echeveria or Sempervivum, both very similar, both called "hens & chickens" for their habit of producing plantlets on short runners, both members of the Crassula family.

Growing outdoors in SW Finland, I would suggest some variety of Houseleek (Sempervivum sp.), perhaps Common Houseleek (S. tectorum AKA S. alpina).

Houseleeks or Hens and Chicks are very popular in rock and alpine gardens, very hardy (so long as the drainage is excellent), and there are many culivars and hybrids available to gardeners.

"Finland Succulents" sounds seductively distracting. You're going to have to work on taming your titles if I'm to get through my day without my mind going off the rails, GS!

Hey, I'm having a rough day at work - so Suomi!

I see Matt Springer has been moved to blog on Harry Potter now. Your infectious excitement is spreading!