ORIGIN : Derived from a mutation of Aeonium ‘Sunburst’, and therefore from Aeonium davidbramwellii. Chinese growers sell it either as urbicum variegata or percaneum variegata, although it resembles neither of them.
KNOWN NAMES : ‘Emerald City’ (currently the most widely used name), ‘Silver’, ‘Emerald Angel’, ‘Emerald City Variegata’, ‘Magic Rainbow’, ‘Clear Shadow’, 清影.
CREATION DATE / BREEDER : Possibly of Korean rather than Chinese origin (under investigation).
DESCRIPTION : Aeonium ‘Emerald City’ is a variegated Aeonium derived from a mutation of ‘Sunburst’. In both winter and summer, its overall appearance remains remarkably consistent. Its green foliage is marked with attractive silvery-gray streaks, giving it a distinctive appearance among currently known variegated aeoniums. Its leaves are relatively plump.
It appears relatively sensitive to excessive sunlight in summer, and the leaf margins may blacken, as can sometimes also be observed in Aeonium ‘Sunburst’ (see photograph below). Partial shade therefore appears preferable in summer. Please feel free to share your own experience with us.
This variegated Aeonium has a moderate growth rate and produces relatively few offsets, like ‘Sunburst’.
Numerous similarities between ‘Sunburst’ and ‘Emerald City’
The leaves of ‘Sunburst’ and ‘Emerald City’ show strong similarities: the same shape, similar texture and streaking, and closely related tones.
The stems of ‘Sunburst’ and ‘Emerald City’ are essentially identical, and both appear to produce few or no offsets after decapitation.
The shape and center of the rosette are also extremely similar in ‘Sunburst’ and ‘Emerald City’.
These morphological similarities are consistent with the observed relationship between the two cultivars. ‘Emerald City’ is a mutation of ‘Sunburst’, a relationship also directly observed through mutation in cultivation. It remains notable that this mutation is not reported more frequently by growers or collectors.
WINTER PHOTOGRAPHS
SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHS
REVERSION ON ‘EMERALD CITY’
MUTATION OF A ‘SUNBURST’ INTO ‘EMERALD CITY’
CONTINUE EXPLORING
