Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
| Kalanchoe blossfeldiana | |
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| Dark red variety of kalanchoe blossfeldiana | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | K. blossfeldiana
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| Binomial name | |
| Kalanchoe blossfeldiana | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Kalanchoe globulifera var. coccinea H. Perrier | |
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a herbaceous[2] and commonly cultivated house plant[3] of the genus Kalanchoe native to Madagascar. It is known by the English common names Flaming Katy, Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe[4] and Madagascar widow's-thrill.[5]
Taxonomy and naming
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is in the Kalanchoe section of the Kalanchoe genus, with a description of the plant published in 1934 (Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 35:159).[6] With regards to the etymology of the binomial, Adanson adapted the generic name Kalanchoe from 'Kalanchauhuy', a Chinese name for one species recorded by Georg Joseph Kamel, a botanist and Jesuit missionary to the Philippiness."[7][8] [9] The Oxford English Dictionary states that it is "based on [the] Chinese gāláncài",[10] whilst the Collins English Dictionary merely restates the claim that the generic name was derived from the local Chinese name for one of the species.[11] The specific epithet blossfeldiana is in tribute to German hybridiser and botanist Robert Blossfeld, who first introduced the plant to the rest of the world in 1932.[12] The common name Christmas Kalanchoe comes from the plant's flamboyant and colourful blooms in winter.[13][14]
Description
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a glabrous,[13] bushy, evergreen and perennial succulent plant which (in 2–5 years)[15] can reach an ultimate height of between 30–45 cm (12-18 in.)[4] and an ultimate spread of between 10–50 cm (4-20 in.).[15] K. blossfeldiana has a round habit and a moderate plant density; its growth rate has been described as 'slow'.[2] The plant has green,[15] shiny and textured glossy foliage[4] which stays green all year round.[15] The scallop-edged and ovate leaves are arranged in an opposite/subopposite fashion, are simple in type with crenate margins and an oblong shape.[2] The arrangement of the veins in a leaf (venation) can be absent or very hard to see; the leaf blades are 5–10 cm. (2-4 in.) long.[2] K. blossfeldiana flowers in late autumn to early winter; each flower has four petals and can be one of a wide variety of colours, from the dark reds and pinks to oranges, golds and whites.[4] The inflorescences are born by peduncles which are higher up than the leaves and are terminal in nature.[16]
Parts of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana are poisonous if ingested.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is native to Madagascar, where the plant can be found growing in the relatively cool plateaus of the Tsarantanana Mountains; K. blossfeldiana in this environment grows in humus soil.[17]
Ecology
Whilst generally disease free, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana can be damaged by pest insects such as Otiorhynchus sulcatus (vine weevil) or mealybugs.[15]
References
- ^ "Kalanchoe globulifera var. coccinea H. Perrier". The Plant List. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d F. Gilman, Edward. "FPS-309/FP309: Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana Kalanchoe". Electronic Data Information System. University of Florida. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ Vangorder, Ruth (5 May 2009). "Holiday Plants: How to Handle a Christmas Kalanchoe". Yahoo Voices. Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Detailed information on Flaming Katy, Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe Kalanchoe blossfeldiana". PlantFiles. Dave's Garden. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ "Plants Profile for Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Madagascar widow's-thrill)". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ "Kalanchoe blossfeldiana information from NPGS/GRIN". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ Adanson, M. Familles des Plantes. [1]
- ^ Camel, J.G. Herbarium aliarumque stirpium in Insulâ Luzone Philippinarum Primariâ nascentium. In: John Ray: Historia plantarum. Band 3, London 1704, Anhang, S. 1–42 p. 6. item 18. [2]
- ^ Baldwin Jr., J. T. (October 1938). "Kalanchoe: The Genus and its Chromosomes". American Journal of Botany. 25 (8): 572–579. doi:10.2307/2436516. JSTOR 2436516.
- ^ "kalanchoe". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "kalanchoe". Collins English Dictionary. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Kalanchoe blossfeldiana information". Plants by name. Flowers.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ a b Lemke, Carl (23 December 2005). "Kalanchoe blossfeldiana - Christmas Kalanchoe - Crassulaceae". University of Oklahoma Department of Microbiology & Plant Biology. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Christmas Kalanchoe) for charming colors". John&Jacq~s Garden. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Kalanchoe blossfeldiana AGM". Plant Selector. Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ "Kalancho/ Kalancho blossfeldiana / Christmas kalanchoe/ Flaming Katy". PHILIPPINE MEDICINAL PLANTS. STUARTXCHANGE. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Plants & Flowers » Kalanchoe blossfeldiana". PlantsRescue. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
See also
