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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: Salmon |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: <1 foot |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Drought Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Echeveria bifida (Branched Flower Hens and Chicks) - A stemless compact plant with rosettes to 6 to 8 inches wide of up to 15 leaves with 2 to 5 inch long lanceolate leaves that are an unusual pale grayish-brown color. In summer the flowering stems rise 18 inches above the foliage and gracefully curve and branch with stems and bracts the same color as the foliage and bearing large salmon pinkish-orange flowers with yellow throats that barely flare open near the petal tips and with succulent sepals the same color as the leaves. Plant in full sun with occasional to little irrigation. The species is native to central Mexico in the states of Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, Hidalgo and Queretaro. Our plants from seed collected from plants in our nursery that originated from seed collected west of of Xichu, Guanajuato, Mexico. The genus Echeveria was named to honor Mexican botanical artist Atanasio Echeverría y Godoy in 1828 by the French botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle (DeCandolle) who was very impressed with Echeverría's drawings. Echeverría had accompanied the the Sessé and Mociño expedition (led by Martin de Sessé y Lacasta and Mariano Mociño Suárez de Figueroa) while exploring Mexico and northern Central America and had produced thousands of botanical illustrations. The genus Echeveria is a member of the large Crassula family (Crassulaceae), which has about 1,400 species in 33 genera with worldwide distribution. Echeveria, with approximately 180 species, are native to mid to higher elevations in the Americas with the main distribution in Mexico and central America but with one species found from as far north as southern Texas and several species occurring as far south as Bolivia, Peru and possibly Argentina. The book "The genus Echeveria" by John Pilbeam (published by the British Cactus and Succulent Society, 2008) is an excellent source of information on the species and "Echeveria Cultivars" by Lorraine Schulz and Attila Kapitany (Schulz Publishing, 2005) has beautiful photos and great information on the cultivars and hybrids. It has been argued by some that the correct pronunciation for the genus is ek-e-ve'-ri-a, though ech-e-ver'-i-a seems in more prevalent use in the US.
This description of this plant is based on our research and our observations of it growing at the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We always appreciate receiving feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or have additional cultural tips that would aid others growing Echeveria bifida .
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