Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Dark red variety of kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Kalanchoe
Species: K. blossfeldiana
Binomial name
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Poelln.
Synonyms[1]

Kalanchoe globulifera var. coccinea H. Perrier

One of the Calandiva® line of double-flowered Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivars

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 Philippines.[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 in China

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. The ovary is tetracarpellary and apocarpous while stamens are four in number and are epipetalous.[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

While generally disease free, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana can be damaged by pest insects such as Otiorhynchus sulcatus (vine weevil) or mealybugs.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Kalanchoe globulifera var. coccinea H. Perrier". The Plant List. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 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.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Detailed information on Flaming Katy, Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe Kalanchoe blossfeldiana". PlantFiles. Dave's Garden. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ Adanson, M. Familles des Plantes
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ "kalanchoe". Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  11. ↑ "kalanchoe". Collins English Dictionary. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  12. ↑ "Kalanchoe blossfeldiana information". Plants by name. Flowers.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  13. 1 2 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.
  14. ↑ "Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Christmas Kalanchoe) for charming colors". John&Jacq~s Garden. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kalanchoe blossfeldiana AGM". Plant Selector. Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  16. ↑ "Kalancho/ Kalancho blossfeldiana / Christmas kalanchoe/ Flaming Katy". PHILIPPINE MEDICINAL PLANTS. STUARTXCHANGE. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  17. ↑ "Plants & Flowers » Kalanchoe blossfeldiana". PlantsRescue. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.
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