houseleek

[Eng. house, and leek.] 1. Bot .: The genus Sempervivum, of which one species, S. tectorum , is found half wild on the tops of and houses in some parts of the country. It has dull reddish purple flowers, with twelve narrow sepals, twelve lanceolate ciliate petals, and twelve stamens. It is really wild in continental Europe and Asia. 2. ( Pl .): House leeks. The name given by Lindley to the order Cra ulaceæ (q. v.). houseleek-tree, s. Bot.: Æonium arboreum.