Origin:
Aeonium Mutation ‘Velour’.

Known names:
Aeonium ‘Superbang‘ (most common name), Aeonium ‘Super Bang‘, ‘Ou Jiali‘, ‘Oujiali‘, 欧佳丽, 欧嘉莉. The spellingsO’carrie‘ and ‘Ogary‘ are secondary phonetic adaptations.

Creation date / Creator:
The plant was acquired in 2018 from a Chinese producer by Li Linsen — 李林森 — from Duorou Mijing — 多肉秘境 — who gave it the name 欧佳丽. The producer in which the mutation appeared remains unknown. The first dated publication currently found dates back to April 19, 2019. The western name ‘Superbangis certified in international trade from April 2020.

Botanical description

The Aeonium ‘Superbang’ is a shrubby Aeonium variegata resulting from a mutation of Aeonium ‘Velour’.

This cultivar is distinguished by a particularly marked seasonal evolution, with a very different appearance between its period of active growth and its period of summer rest. This ability to strongly modify its colors depending on climatic conditions makes it a particularly interesting Aeonium for collectors.

A metamorphosis throughout the seasons

In winter, when the light is lower and the Aeonium is in the growth phase, the foliage can have a relatively sober appearance.

The leaves are then mainly composed of:

with a wide central dark green band;
lighter green lateral areas.

At this period, the variegation can be discreet, sometimes giving the impression of an Aeonium almost entirely green.

With the gradual increase in brightness, temperatures and water stress, Aeonium ‘Superbang’ reveals all its aesthetic potential.

The central part of the leaves gradually evolves towards deeper shades:

dark green;
brown;
down to almost black shades in the brightest conditions.

The side borders, for their part, take on lighter shades which can range from cream to red depending on the exposure and the time of year.

A characteristic sheet

One of the major features of the Aeonium ‘Superbang’ lies in the exceptional width of its central band.

Unlike certain Aeoniums variegata where the colored zones are distributed in a more balanced way, ‘Superbang’ generally retains a large pigmented central zone which can sometimes occupy almost the entire leaf in summer.

This characteristic gives it a very strong visual identity and makes it easy to differentiate it from other cultivars from the same lineage.

Its foliage also has a slightly downy texture inherited from its parent ‘Velour’. During periods of high heat and summer dormancy, the leaves tend to tighten and take on a more “tiled” appearance, a natural phenomenon allowing the plant to limit its transpiration and better resist difficult conditions.

Culture and behavior

The Aeonium ‘Superbang’ is a vigorous and relatively easy to grow cultivar.

Its main horticultural characteristics:

Growth: fast;
Ability to reject: good;
Force: high;
Fragility: no particular sensitivity observed.

It also has excellent resistance to sun and heat, which constitutes an important advantage compared to certain Aeonium variegata which are more sensitive during the summer period.

Like all Aeoniums, it nevertheless remains sensitive to frost and prolonged negative temperatures.

An Aeonium with spectacular contrasts

The Aeonium ‘Superbang’ is one of the cultivars whose interest is based as much on the plant itself as on its evolution over the seasons.

Its ability to go from discreet winter foliage to powerful contrasts mixing black, brown, cream and red in summer makes it a variety particularly appreciated by Aeonium variegata enthusiasts.

From the line ‘Velour’, it perfectly illustrates the wealth of mutations making it possible to obtain Aeonium with unique chromatic behaviors.