Yellow-flowered Aeonium from Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Rosettes 4-10 inches. Upright stems. The species is the most common in cultivation. Frequently misidentified and the parent of many hybrids, both green and red/purple.

The Canary Island subspecies Aeonium arboreum subsp. arboreum and Aeonium (Aeonium arboreum subsp. holochrysum) can often be distinguished by the color of the leaves (darker or greener) and the shape of the rosette (cup-shaped or flat) according to Schulz. This is complicated somewhat by seasonal changes and the effects of light, and not an absolute rule. They can also be distinguished in a more definitive way based on having fuzzy flowers and stalks (arboreum), or not (holochrysum). The Moroccan subspecies Aeonium arboreum subsp. korneliuslemsii can be distinguished based on its hairy leaves, which are rounded and usually lack a point, and broader elliptical petals.

According to Schulz: very few plants in cultivation are from known habitat locations. Also according to Schulz, all of the purple or blackish-leafed Aeonium cultivars (like "Zwartkop" and its offspring) are forms or hybrids of arboreum.

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To add to Baja's comment, Aeonium arboreum var. rubrolineatum can be identified by its flowers. Flowers on rubrolineatum can be striped reddish, or light orange in full sun.

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