Houseleek

Originating from Western Europe, the houseleek – whose Latin name “sempervivum” means “always alive” – has a certain air of immortality about it. Maybe that’s why the Ancients associated it with Jupiter, king of the gods, and endowed it with occult powers: planted on the roof of a house or place of worship, the houseleek was believed to protect against lightning and evil spirits and guarantee long life. The plant also has interesting botanical features: when subjected to extreme temperatures, drought and arid soils, it still retains its green, fleshy, succulent leaves. Drought-loving plants such as houseleek develop a number of morphological and physiological mechanisms to survive hydric stress. It blooms in poor, rocky soils resistant to temperature variations and desiccation. Its adaptation is rooted in two characteristics: a waxy cuticle that reduces evapotranspiration and a CAM metabolism where the plant absorbs CO2 overnight and carries out photosynthesis during the day. Studies have confirmed that the houseleek owes its capacity to fight intense hydric stress to highly developed physiological and biological mechanisms. Clarins has studied these abilities as part of its research into hydric stress, among 130 other plants.