An in-depth look at the naming of Echeveria plants and species within the genus

Examining the meaning of Latin names for different Echeveria species.

I find the way that plants are named really interesting, and actually enjoy finding out the Latin-english translations (learn a bit about Latin plant naming here).

Today, I am going to examine the naming of Echeverias and the individual species within this genus.

Echeveria is a large genus of attractive, rosette-shaped plants, which are native to Central America (and most semi-desert regions of the Americas). They come from the Crassulaceae family - as does the Crassula - which is commonly known as the stonecrop family.

Where does the word Echeveria come from?

Astanasio Echeverría y Godoy was an 18th century, Mexican botanical artist, and the genus Echeveria was named in his honour. Sometimes genus and species names derive from an individual’s name or are named after the person that first discovered or recorded it.

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Echeveria species and their names

There are lots and lots of different species with this genus - and thousands of hybrids - including the popular Echeveria elegans. Elegans means “elegant”, which I think perfectly sums up this plant’s stylish, understated shape and look. Interestingly, it’s also known as the Mexican Snowball – because it's rounded in form and is native to Mexico’s semi-desert areas.

Time to look at and translate some other named Echeveria species:

• Echeveria agavoides - agavoides comes from “Agave” (the plant) and the Latin word-ending, “oides” which means “looks like”. Put them together and it translates to “looks like an Agave” or “resembles an Agave”.
• Common names: Wax Echeveria, Wax Agave, Molded Wax Plant, Molded Wax Agave.
• Echeveria prolifica - prolifica means “prolific” or “very fruitful”, as it multiples by producing offsets incredibly quickly. It is actually one of the fastest offsetting Echeveria species around.
• Common name: Prolific Echeveria.
• Echeveria compressicaulis - compressicaulis means “compressed stem”, which refers to the compression scars/flattened sections that can be seen on the stems and the indentations on the leaves.
• Echeveria lilacina - lilacina means “lilac” which refers to the plant’s gorgeous colour.
• Common names: Ghost Echeveria, Mexican Hens and Chicks.
• Echeveria glauca - glauca means “bloom - has a thin powder” which refers to the blue-toned bloom the leaves have.
• Common names: Glaucous Echeveria, Hens and Chicks, Old Hens and Chicks, Blue Echeveria.
• Echeveria gibbiflora - gibbiflora means “swollen flower”referring to its resemblance to a large, (swollen or fleshy) flower. The leaves are broad and spoon-shaped and it is one of the largest species - measuring up to 40cm across. It is sometimes called Echeveria grandifolia (“grandifolia” means “with large leaves”).
• Echeveria brevifolia - brevifolia means “short leaved”, because it is!
• Common name: Short-Leaved Echeveria.
• Echeveria pulvinata - pulvinata comes from the Latin “pulvinaris” which means “cushion”, because it is covered in soft, plush hairs.
• Common names: Chenille Plant, Plush Plant, Ruby Slippers, Ruby Bush, Red Velvet.
• Echeveria pilosa - pilosa derives from the Latin “pilus” which menas “hair” and references the soft hairy appearance of this species.
• Echeveria setosa - setosa derives from the latin word for “bristle” (which is “seta”) which refers to the hairy leaves.
• Common names: Mexican Firecracker, Firecracker Echeveria, Firecracker Plant.
• Echeveria laui - laui refers to Dr. Alfred B. Lau, who was a 21st century explorer and cactus collector, whose name was given to this species.
• Common name: La Roseta
• Echeveria peacockii - peacockii refers to John T. Peacock, who was a 19th century succulent collector, and whom this species is named after.
• Common name: Peacock Echeveria.
• Echeveria chihuahuensis - chihuahuensis means “from Chihuahua, Mexico”.
• Echeveria pumila - pumila means “dwarf” referencing this plant’s size.
• Common name: Dwarf Echeveria.
• Echeveria stolonifera - stolonifera means “bearing runners” which references the way the plant reproduces vegetatively, by offsets/runners.

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There are many many more than the ones I have listed here, and I haven’t even touched on the hundreds of hybrid species there are. I love this plant so much, and just writing this has made me want to go succulent shopping to discover some more of them. They all have such exciting, sculptural forms in colours from the bluest grey to the brightest pink!

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For a quick “cheat”, you can purchase my Echeveria species artwork here. Find out how to take care of them here.