Sempervivum ciliosum are one of the species of Sempervivum. Ciliosum means "hairs", so the cili's are semps that tend to be covered with tiny cilia or hairs on the plants. This can be more or less noticeable, depending on variety. Just because a sempervivium has hairs on it, however, does not guarantee it is a ciliosum. Other species of Sempervivum can have cilia as well.

Ciliosum tend to form rosettes that are more round like a ball than many other Sempervivum which has an interesting appearance when forming clumps. In addition, ciliosum flowers are yellow, which is unusual for most Sempervivum.

Some known varieties of ciliosum:

S. ciliosum (species type)
S. ciliosum f/ Ali Botusch (multiple offsets on long stolons, from Ali Botusch)
S. ciliosum from Orelek
S. ciliosum from Rila Village
S. ciliosum from Strumska Dolina
S. ciliosum from Toumba Varnous
S. ciliosum subsp. octopodes
S. ciliosum subsp. octopodes var. apetalum
S. ciliosum var. bandericianum
S. ciliosum var. borisii (noted for long cilia)
S. ciliosum var. galicicum from Mali Hat, Albania (globular in form, looks almost like a cactus)

Known hybrids in the hobby:

S. ciliosum x S. marmoreum ssp. erythraeum


S. ciliosum var. 'Borisii' photo taken by insiderart (Terri)

Twit that is a great list. Do you have a photo of one of them to put in your first post?

I'm going to look those up, the last description sounds so interesting. I can't find a link for S. ciliosum var. galicicum from Mali Hat, Albania to see a photo. Do you have one twit?

I have a small borisii if Twit doesn't have any of them. I could get a photo.

Please feel free to post your own photos here.

I think I have a borisii and maybe two other types, but getting photos with all the rain is a real challenge right now. Also, my borisii was the one blasted by storm damage, I think, so its not a typical plant at the moment.

Good thing I'm a swimmer. If you see an ark in your area, book a ticket. We've had rain almost every day for at least two months now. It's going to take a long time for the south to dry out with all the water in the systems.

Well the ark left our area finally, must be headed your way twit.

Terri, can you get us a nice close up of your borisii. Just post here and I'll move it up to twits first post so it will show as a thumbnail for this thread.

Ok. When I get home.

Thanks Terri, can't wait to see it.

Ok, here's S. ciliosum var. "Borisii"

Isn't she a beauty. Thank you so much Terri. I will get it moved up to the first post.

You're quite welcome. It's quite small and I haven't had it long, so it's not open much yet. It will be interesting to see what it turns into.

Keep us posted on it's progress Terri. : )

S. 'Regal' does show some cilia and much more of it at different times of the year, but it is not in the category of ciliosum.

• Hen and Chicks (Sempervivum 'Regal')
• Uploaded by valleylynn

Ooo, yeah that's a pretty one. I remember the white babies!

I have S. ciliosum var. borisii and this spring it had shrunk to about 1/2" diameter. I ordered another one, and now that one is going to bloom without sending out any offsets. Hope my littles ones recover this summer.

Mine have just now started to make offsets. I got them the end of Jan from NHN. Let me know Chris if you need replacements when these offsets root.

Thanks Lynn - I'll keep that in mind!

I'm expecting this in one of my swaps - Jane sent me the picture, so this won't be what mine looks like, especially after a cross continent ride.

That is such a beautiful green Jacki. What is the name?

Jacki, Doesn't look like it is a ciliosum, though. Curious regarding name here too.

Anyway, Lynn and anybody with some ciliosum. Have you felt the plant yet? Wonderful soft texture. don't pet them too much though, don't want to wear them out.

They really are soft to the touch. I will try real hard not to pet them to often.

Jane labeled it as S. ciliosum var. borissi, but when I compare the pics of the one Chris has it's not even close. Hmm.