Aeonium gorgoneum

Aeonium gorgoneum is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. It was first described by Johann Anton Schmidt in 1852.^[3] Its local name is saião.^[4] The plant plays a role in traditional medicine for the treatment of coughs.^[1]

Aeonium gorgoneum
Aeonium gorgoneum at the University of California Botanical Garden
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Saxifragales
Family:	Crassulaceae
Genus:	Aeonium
Species:	A. gorgoneum
Binomial name
Aeonium gorgoneum J.A.Schmidt, 1852
Synonyms[2]
Aeonium webbii Bolle Sempervivum gorgoneum J.A.Schmidt ex Cout. Sempervivum webbii Schenck

Description

The plant is a perennial shrub and grows up to about 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall. Its chromosome number is 2n=36.^[5]

Distribution and ecology

Aeonium gorgoneum is found on the islands of Santo Antão, São Vicente and São Nicolau at elevations from 400–1,100 m (1,300–3,600 ft) above sea level.^[1]

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  A $100 escudo coin featuring Aeonium gorgoneum