Vegetative reproduction of Sedum spectabile. The picture shows a cut flowering stem of the Ice plant, S. spectabile, after 10 days in a vase of water. The section shown had its leaves removed, and was below the water surface. Each dormant bud at the base of the (removed) leaves has grown to form a short leafy stem. The bud picture centre has also produced roots. Detached from the stem, this would grow into a new plant. Vegetative reproduction produces genetically identical clones of the parent plant. This is an advantage to plant breeders seeking speedy propagation of uniform stock. In nature, it allows rapid colonisation of a habitat, with the potential weakness that genetic diversity is lost. The ability of plants to reproduce in this way is particularly marked in succulent species; even a detached unwatered leaf of many succulent genera can produce roots and shoots from the base