Origin:
Resulting from a mutation of Aeonium ‘Mardi Gras‘. Its appearance, and especially its dark marbling, strongly suggests that it could more precisely come from the lineage of Aeonium ‘Ink Painting‘, itself considered a mutation of Aeonium ‘Mardi Gras‘. This relationship with ‘Ink Painting‘ nevertheless remains to be confirmed.
Known names:
‘Black Besta‘ (most common name), ‘Mars‘.
Date of creation / commercialization:
It starts to be seen in circulation around 2021 in China. Its creator remains unknown to this day.
An origin linked to Aeonium ‘Ink Painting‘?
This hypothesis deserves particular attention.
Aeonium ‘Ink Painting‘, also known as ‘Ecstasy‘, is now generally considered a mutation of ‘Mardi Gras‘ that appeared in Asia. It is characterized in particular by an irregular longitudinal variegation, crossed by streaks and pigmented areas visually reminiscent of the runs of ink painting.
Now, some mutations observed in Aeonium ‘Ink Painting‘ can produce sectors extremely close to the appearance of ‘Black Besta‘.
The observation of a temporary transformation of a rosette of Aeonium ‘Ink Painting‘ towards a phenotype practically identical to ‘Black Besta‘ therefore constitutes a particularly interesting clue.
This obviously does not make it possible to genetically demonstrate the relationship, but this observation strengthens this hypothesis.
Botanical description
Aeonium ‘Black Besta‘ is a particularly atypical variegated shrubby Aeonium.
Unlike many variegated aeoniums whose variegation is based on a sharp contrast between green and cream bands, ‘Black Besta‘ shows a much more discreet expression and, above all, one that is extremely dependent on growing conditions.
Its main peculiarity lies essentially in the appearance of dark red, burgundy, purple and then almost black pigments, irregularly distributed over the blade.
It is precisely this dark pigmentation that gives it its characteristic appearance.
An almost invisible variegation in winter
In the middle of winter, when light levels are low and growth is active, Aeonium ‘Black Besta‘ can become surprisingly green.
The variegation can then be extremely discreet, or even practically invisible.
The leaves generally show a relatively uniform green coloration, but a close look often reveals a fine mauve, purple or burgundy edging around their periphery.
This feature is important for identifying the cultivar during its least colorful phase.
A plant purchased for its magnificent dark colors can therefore present a much more understated appearance for several months.
This does not necessarily mean that it has reverted.
The appearance of purple marbling
When light levels increase, ‘Black Besta‘ truly begins to reveal its identity.
Burgundy to dark purple marbling gradually appears on the blade.
Unlike a perfectly regular variegation, these pigmented areas are distributed in a relatively random way.
Some leaves may show only a few markings while others become almost entirely colored.
Dark purple marbling characteristic of Aeonium ‘Black Besta‘
This irregularity is probably one of the most interesting features of the cultivar.
It is reminiscent of the highly variable expression of streaks and marbling observed in Aeonium ‘Ink Painting‘. The latter is known for having a streaked variegation whose intensity and colors change significantly throughout the year.
A spectacular transformation with light
With increased light, higher temperatures and possibly slight water stress, the pigmentation gradually intensifies.
The burgundy red becomes purple and then very dark violet.
Under good conditions, this pigmentation can eventually spread over a large part of the foliage and give the rosette an almost black appearance.
This transformation is particularly spectacular because it allows the plant to go from green to burgundy to purple to almost black violet.
The contrast between its winter and summer appearance can therefore be considerable.
This is probably one of the reasons why Aeonium ‘Black Besta‘ can be difficult to identify from a single photograph.
A variegation different from classic Aeonium cultivars
The term variegata deserves a brief clarification here.
In many cultivars, variegation corresponds to areas with a reduced amount or absence of chlorophyll, producing the characteristic white, cream or yellow bands.
In ‘Black Besta‘, the visual interest relies more on an irregular expression of dark pigments and marbling than on striking white variegation.
Growth and ability to offset
Aeonium ‘Black Besta‘ has a growth rate that is average for variegated aeoniums.
Its ability to produce offsets is also decent. Over time, a well-established plant can therefore form several rosettes and gradually develop a more shrubby habit.
To date, no particularly characteristic weakness of the cultivar seems to have been clearly identified.
This point will nevertheless need to continue to be monitored.
Caution is particularly warranted because of its possible proximity to ‘Ink Painting‘. Several mutations belonging to this lineage are known to show a certain instability and sometimes a higher-than-average sensitivity. ‘Ink Painting‘ and several of its derivatives are also known to have a tendency to flower relatively easily, but this does not appear to be the case in this cultivar.
An Aeonium ‘Ink Painting‘ origin that seems to be confirmed
One of the most interesting elements regarding the origin of ‘Black Besta‘ is the observation of a temporary mutation that appeared directly on an Aeonium ‘Ink Painting‘.
Part of the plant developed coloration and marbling extremely close to those observed in ‘Black Besta‘.
This phenomenon is particularly interesting because variegated aeoniums can produce sports, that is, sectors or offsets showing an expression different from that of the mother plant.
When this modification affects a meristem and remains stable during vegetative propagation, it can potentially be isolated and give rise to a new horticultural clone.
This observation could therefore perfectly explain the origin of ‘Black Besta‘.
It does not yet constitute definitive proof, but it considerably strengthens the hypothesis of a lineage:
Aeonium ‘Mardi Gras‘ → Aeonium ‘Ink Painting‘ → Aeonium ‘Black Besta‘
A still very rare Aeonium
Despite having been commercialized for several years, Aeonium ‘Black Besta‘ remains surprisingly rare in collections.
The information available on the Internet is also very limited. Even the databases and specialist nurseries documenting numerous Asian cultivars provide little cultivar-specific information about it.
WINTER PERIOD PHOTOS
SUMMER PERIOD PHOTOS
An ‘Ink Painting’ origin that seems to be confirmed
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