Distribution of the species
On Mt. Paggaio, it has been observed from 500 m to 1,500 m asl. It is a species that can be found in various habitats with rocks; the main substrate where it grows. It is quite common in the northern slopes of the mountain, although rarer in the southern areas.
Description of the species (biological and ecological features)
It forms numerous colonies in many places of Mt. Paggaio. It is an annual or perennial plant that belongs to the family of succulents (family Crassulaceae). It is characterized by short non-flowering stems, which form groups at the base of the plant, while its flowering stems are longer, up to 20 cm. Its sessile alternating leaves are narrowly elliptical or linear, grayish-reddish in color. The inflorescence has 2-3 branches (rarely 1 or 4) and bears 10-40 flowers. The flowers consist of 6-7 (rarely 5 or 8-9) parts (sepals or petals) and are whitish with pink nerves in the middle of the petals. The family Crassulaceae includes plants that have thick and fleshy (crassus in Latin means thick, fleshy) parts. This feature gives the plants the ability to withstand adverse environmental conditions. In particular, the thick and fleshy stems and leaves of these plants serve as water reservoirs, thus enabling them to survive in periods of low water availability. It grows from sea level up to about 2,000 m asl. and flowers between June and August. A large number of species of the genus are used as ornamentals, while medicinal properties have been reported for some others.
Due to its rather extensive distribution on Mount Paggaio, no particular threats and pressures, which would lead to a significant reduction in its population, were observed.
Conservation status
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Conservation state
It is not subjected to any national or international conservation status. Its population on Mt. Paggaio does not seem to be threatened by any anthropogenic factor.