Giant Island Stonecrop - Spec Challenge #4

One of my entries for Hyrotrioskjan's Fourth Spec Challenge. (fav.me/db98qjs)

This particular giant Stonecrop grows to heights often exceeding 7 feet or more. They grow on the semi-arid parts of the main island. Over its evolution, its done away with the low-ground spreading growth habits found in many other Mediterranean Stonecrops, and instead many large stems branch out from a single woody base. The base or stump is covered with a stiff outermost layer, while the interior is reasonably soft and fleshy (Containing water reserves), followed with a fibrous core. The large stems bare soft fleshy leaves, which vary from a darker blue to a lighter aqua/green. The leaves are largest at the base of the stem, present at separate intervals continuing up the stem. As the leaves further up the stem, their size is reduced until they are mere buds. The leaves help bring water towards the stems during rain, where it drips down and collects at the base of the stump.  The leaves are surrounded by softer flesh, of a dark purple coloration. Immature stems (shown in middle back of specimen image) are soft and are also purple and blue.

Topping the stems as the foliage dissipates are large clusters of flowers. Each cluster is formed from 3 main closely branching inflorescences. Each flower is a dull yellow/orange. The flowers are relatively small, and so many flowers are present on a single bunch, with 3-5 clusters forming on each stem. As the flowers die they dry, along with the rest of the stem (turning a dark brown/black), and seeds form. They are then spread by being dropped as the stem continues to dry. Stems flower once then die, before being replaced by new growing stems.
(Pollinators of the flowers will be detailed in a separate entry)

Hope you like it

(Hiker silhouette used from "Free Stencil Gallery" - www.freestencilgallery.com/hik… )