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Curio repens

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(Redirected from Senecio serpens)

Curio repens
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Curio
Species:
C. repens
Binomial name
Curio repens
P.V.Heath
Synonyms[1]
  • Cacalia glauca Salisb.
  • Cacalia repens L.
  • Kleinia repens Haw.
  • Notonia glauca S.Moore
  • Senecio repens (L.) H.Jacobsen
  • Senecio serpens G.D.Rowley
  • Senecio succulentus Sch.Bip.

Curio repens (syn. Senecio serpens) is a species of succulent groundcover plant in the genus Curio, in the Asteraceae family. Commonly named blue chalksticks, blue chalk fingers and also snake ragwort,[2] it is frequently used in Mediterranean climate landscaping and as an ornamental plant.

Description

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It is a semi-trailing, low-growing dwarf shrub that forms a dense mat that reaches only about 20 cm in height and features silvery-blueish, finger-like fleshy leaves.[3] It produces small and round, pompom-like flowers that may superficially resemble a virus. The flowers appear as off-white from distance, but would have yellow and pink tinges on the stamen up-close. Flowering season is usually between spring and autumn. It was first formally described as Cacalia repens by Carl Linnaeus in 1767.[4]

It should be distinguished from Curio talinoides by its shorter, broader and often boat-shaped leaves.[5]

Cultivation

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Drought tolerant, the plant is used as a ground cover, border plant or in a rock garden. It is grown in sandy, dry to slightly moist soils in sun or some partial shade. It is easily propagated by cuttings. Visually-similar to the ice plants of Mesembryanthemum, C. repens is typically found growing in and among rocky crevices and exposed ledges on dry, rubble-strewn sandstone slopes, where drainage is swift and sun exposure and airflow is high.

There is a hybrid of this and Curio talinoides that is known as 'Trident Blue'.

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References

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  1. ^ "Curio repens (L.) P.V.Heath". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Curio repens". The University of Arizona. Arizona Board of Regents. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Senecio serpens". African Plants Database. Natural History Museum of Geneva, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève and Tela Botanica. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  4. ^ "Curio repens". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  5. ^ Curio talinoides (DC.) P.V.Heath by PlantZAfrica.com