Kalanchoe beharensis

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Kalanchoe beharensis
Kalanchoe beharensis serres du Jardin du Luxembourg.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Kalanchoe
Species:
K. beharensis
Binomial name
Kalanchoe beharensis

Kalanchoe beharensis (commonly known as elephant's ear kalanchoe, felt bush, or feltbush) is a plant species in the succulent genus Kalanchoe , and the family Crassulaceae. Kalanchoe beharensis is native to Madagascar [1] known by local names mongy, rongy and tavitavy. [2]

Contents

Description

Kalanchoe beharensis is an evergreen shrub, 3–5 ft (1–2 m) tall. [3] The stem is about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long, slender and knotted. Leaves are olive green, triangular-lanceolate shaped, decussately arranged (pairs at right-angles to each other) with leaf margins that are doubly crenate (crinkled). Each leaf is about 10 cm (4 in) long and 5–10 cm (2–4 in) wide. The bottoms of the leaves are glabrous (smooth and glossy), and covered with a woolly hair towards the apex. The leaf hairs are brown, and the tips of the teeth are darker. The hairs on the stem, younger leaves, and petioles (leaf stalks) are white. A sign of older leaves is concavity on the upper surface.

The types of trichome present on the leaves of Kalanchoe vary among the different species. The different types of trichomes are an indicator of adaptation to a particular environment. On the leaf blade of K. beharensis there are trichomes of the non-glandular, bushy three-branched type. This type of trichome is dead, with evidence of tannin. K. beharensis trichomes are also characterized by striped cuticular ornamentation on their surface. Glandular trichomes are also present on the leaves, with more on petioles than on leaf blades, and more on the top of the leaf as opposed to the bottom. [4]

Inflorescences

Inflorescences are 50–60 cm (20–24 in) high, forming a branched corymb. Flowers are on short pedicels (stalks). The calyx is 7 mm long with lobes that are oblong and acuminate (tapering to a point). The corolla tube is urn-shaped and 7 mm long. [5] Blooming occurs from spring to summer, and flowers are small and yellowish. [6]

Reproduction

The genus Kalanchoe may reproduce asexually by producing plantlets on leaf margins, which when distributed on a suitable substrate will form new plants. Plantlet-forming species fall under two categories. The first category is induced plantlet-forming species that produce plantlets under stress. The second plantlet-forming species is constitutive plantlet-forming species that spontaneously forms plantlets. Induced plantlet-forming species have the LEC1 gene that allows them to produce seeds, whereas the constitutive plantlet-forming species have a defective LEC1 gene and cannot produce seeds. [7] K. beharensis produces seeds as well as plantlets. [8]

Defense system

Kalanchoe beharensis uses a system of defense, not unique to this plant, termed stress-limited defence. This system involves deterring herbivores (plant eating creatures) before a high stress level ensues causing cracking in the tissue of the plant. High hardness, a structural component of this system, is characterized by tissues with high density. Since the tissues of plants employing this defense system have a high density, the defenses, commonly spines, prickles, thorns and hair, must reside on the surface of the plant. Amorphous silica is found in the defense structures with a microhardness of about 5000 MPa, [9] which is higher than the microhardness of insects, and of mammalian enamel with a microhardness of 3500 MPa. [10] Through research, this defense system is shown to decrease the amount of plant matter eaten by vertebrate herbivores by reducing the size of the bite a herbivore takes, the volume of a bite, or the rate at which biting occurs. [11]

Carbon fixation

The first field study of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), a type of carbon fixation, by Kalanchoe beharensis was conducted on the cultivar 'Drake del Castillo', and published in a paper titled In situ studies of crassulacean acid metabolism in Kalanchoe beharensis Drake Del Castillo, a plant of the semi-arid southern region of Madagascar (by Kluge et al.); the study included information on diel patterns of CO2 exchange, transpiration, measurements of fluctuations in organic acid levels and PEP carboxylase properties and water relations. Some conclusions of the study were that K. beharensis advantageously and fully performs CAM during the entirety of the dry season, avoiding CAM idling; this is possible due to the species' ability to store and maintain sufficient moisture in its succulent leaves, specifically for rationing in periods of drought. [12]

Cultivation

Cultivated in pots Kalanchoe beharensis, elephant's ear kalanchoe at Myddelton House, Enfield, London 01.jpg
Cultivated in pots

It may be grown as a houseplant in a bright, sunny windows with sufficient aeration to prevent the proliferation of insect pests. They may live outdoors in mostly frost-free landscapes. It is naturally toxic to humans and cats, and may irritate and itch expose skin; the species is (reportedly) not toxic to dogs, provided the plant has not been treated with any chemicals (according to the National Animal Poison Information network). [13] This plant needs full to partial sun, with intermediate to warm temperatures above 5 °C (41 °F). [14] It will survive random bouts of frost on a scale from light to moderate, preferring to avoid it altogether. [15] For growth in a greenhouse, K. beharensis will grow in a mixture of equal parts loam and sand, and one part extra perlite, pumice or other inert material for aeration and drainage. The plant should be dry before watering again, as too much water will kill it. Watering should occur every 10–14 days during the growing season. In the winter months it should be watered sparingly, possibly only once every thirty days. The species is highly resilient and will survive times of neglect if generally protected from harsh sun for prolonged periods. [16]

Propagation is by seed, [17] though most frequently and effectively is achieved via cuttings. Plants may be propagated with any stem, petiole or leaf cuttings, in which the mid-rib may be cut in various places, as the entire plant readily grows new roots when divided. The cuttings should be grown on a sandy, loose substrate and kept out of direct sun, but still given plenty of bright shade and indirect light. [18] Dried sphagnum moss is also a viable substrate for propagating on, as it absorbs adequate moisture for developing plants while being aerated enough to prevent rotting. Leaf propagates are highly worthwhile in most instances, as the leaves of K. beharensis not only grow roots at the base or at the site of a cut, but will form new plantlets directly from the surface of the leaf itself, often at random.

Kalanchoe beharensis, [14] as well as the cultivar 'Fang' [19] (a cross with K. tomentosa ), has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crassulaceae</span> Family of flowering plants

The Crassulaceae, also known as the stonecrop family or the orpine family, are a diverse family of dicotyledon flowering plants characterized by succulent leaves and a form of photosynthesis, known as Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). Flowers generally have five floral parts. Crassulaceae are usually herbaceous but there are some subshrubs, and relatively few treelike or aquatic plants. Crassulaceae are a medium-sized monophyletic family in the core eudicots, among the order Saxifragales, whose diversity has made infrafamilial classification very difficult. The family includes approximately 1,400 species and 34–35 genera, depending on the circumscription of the genus Sedum, and distributed over three subfamilies. Members of the Crassulaceae are found worldwide, but mostly in the Northern Hemisphere and southern Africa, typically in dry and/or cold areas where water may be scarce, although a few are aquatic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crassulacean acid metabolism</span> Metabolic process

Crassulacean acid metabolism, also known as CAM photosynthesis, is a carbon fixation pathway that evolved in some plants as an adaptation to arid conditions that allows a plant to photosynthesize during the day, but only exchange gases at night. In a plant using full CAM, the stomata in the leaves remain shut during the day to reduce evapotranspiration, but they open at night to collect carbon dioxide and allow it to diffuse into the mesophyll cells. The CO2 is stored as four-carbon malic acid in vacuoles at night, and then in the daytime, the malate is transported to chloroplasts where it is converted back to CO2, which is then used during photosynthesis. The pre-collected CO2 is concentrated around the enzyme RuBisCO, increasing photosynthetic efficiency. This mechanism of acid metabolism was first discovered in plants of the family Crassulaceae.

<i>Kalanchoe</i> Genus of flowering plants in the stonecrop family

Kalanchoe, , is a genus of about 125 species of tropical, succulent plants in the stonecrop family Crassulaceae, mainly native to Madagascar and tropical Africa. A Kalanchoe species was one of the first plants to be sent into space, sent on a resupply to the Soviet Salyut 1 space station in 1979. The majority of kalanchoes require around 6–8 hours of sunlight a day; a few cannot tolerate this, and survive with bright, indirect sunlight to bright shade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aerial root</span> Root which grows above the ground

Aerial roots are roots growing above the ground. They are often adventitious, i.e. formed from nonroot tissue. They are found in diverse plant species, including epiphytes such as orchids (Orchidaceae), tropical coastal swamp trees such as mangroves, banyan figs, the warm-temperate rainforest rata, and pōhutukawa trees of New Zealand. Vines such as common ivy and poison ivy also have aerial roots.

A storage organ is a part of a plant specifically modified for storage of energy (generally in the form of carbohydrates) or water. Storage organs often grow underground, where they are better protected from attack by herbivores. Plants that have an underground storage organ are called geophytes in the Raunkiær plant life-form classification system. Storage organs often, but not always, act as perennating organs which enable plants to survive adverse conditions.

<i>Bryophyllum</i> Section of flowering plants

Bryophyllum is a group of plant species of the family Crassulaceae native to Madagascar. It is a section or subgenus within the genus Kalanchoe, and was formerly placed at the level of genus. This section is notable for vegetatively growing small plantlets on the fringes of the leaves; these eventually drop off and root. These plantlets arise from mitosis of meristematic-type tissue in notches in the leaves.

<i>Kalanchoe daigremontiana</i> Succulent plant native to Madagascar

Kalanchoe daigremontiana, formerly known as Bryophyllum daigremontianum and commonly called mother of thousands, alligator plant or Mexican hat plant, is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. Like other members of Bryophyllum, it can propagate vegetatively from plantlets that develop on its leaf margins, as well as through upshoots from lateral roots, and seeds. All parts of this species contain a very toxic steroid known as daigremontianin.

<i>Cotyledon orbiculata</i> Species of plant

Cotyledon orbiculata, commonly known as pig's ear or round-leafed navel-wort, is a South African succulent plant belonging to the genus Cotyledon.

<i>Kalanchoe delagoensis</i> Species of succulent

Kalanchoe delagoensis, formerly known as Bryophyllum delagoense and commonly called mother of millions or chandelier plant, is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. Like other members of Bryophyllum, it is able to propagate vegetatively from plantlets that develop on its leaf margins.

<i>Kalanchoe pinnata</i> Succulent plant native to Madagascar

Kalanchoe pinnata, commonly known as cathedral bells, air plant, life plant, miracle leaf, Goethe plant, and love bush, is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. It is a popular houseplant and has become naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas. The species is distinctive for the profusion of miniature plantlets that form on the margins of its leaves, a trait it has in common with some other members of Bryophyllum.

Ulmus ellipticaKoch is a disputed species of elm, native to the Caucasus, where Koch reported that it formed extensive woods, and ranging north to southern Ukraine. The tree reminded Koch of the elm then called Ulmus majorSmith, except in its samara. Others thought it closely related to U. glabra, but to resemble U. rubra in its samara. Many authorities consider U. ellipticaKoch just a regional form of U. glabra, though Henry, Bean and Krüssman list the Caucasus tree as a species in its own right. U. ellipticaKoch is likewise distinguished from U. scabraMill. [:U. glabraHuds.] in some Armenian and Russian plant lists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Succulent plant</span> Plants adapted to arid conditions

In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word succulent comes from the Latin word sucus, meaning "juice" or "sap".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leaf</span> Photosynthetic part of a vascular plant

A leaf is a principal appendage of the stem of a vascular plant, usually borne laterally above ground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, stem, flower, and fruit collectively form the shoot system. In most leaves, the primary photosynthetic tissue is the palisade mesophyll and is located on the upper side of the blade or lamina of the leaf, but in some species, including the mature foliage of Eucalyptus, palisade mesophyll is present on both sides and the leaves are said to be isobilateral. Most leaves are flattened and have distinct upper (adaxial) and lower (abaxial) surfaces that differ in color, hairiness, the number of stomata, the amount and structure of epicuticular wax, and other features. Leaves are mostly green in color due to the presence of a compound called chlorophyll which is essential for photosynthesis as it absorbs light energy from the Sun. A leaf with lighter-colored or white patches or edges is called a variegated leaf.

<i>Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri</i> Species of succulent

Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae. They are called "palm beachbells" or "donkey ear plants" as they have leaves resembling the shape of a donkey's ear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thorns, spines, and prickles</span> Hard, rigid extensions or modifications of leaves, roots, stems or buds with sharp, stiff ends

In plant morphology, thorns, spines, and prickles, and in general spinose structures, are hard, rigid extensions or modifications of leaves, roots, stems, or buds with sharp, stiff ends, and generally serve the same function: physically defending plants against herbivory.

<i>Pinguicula orchidioides</i> Species of carnivorous plant

Pinguicula orchidioides is a perennial rosette-forming insectivorous herb native to Mexico and Guatemala. A species of butterwort, it forms summer rosettes of flat, succulent leaves up to 5 centimeters (2 in) long, which are covered in mucilaginous (sticky) glands that attract, trap, and digest arthropod prey. Nutrients derived from the prey are used to supplement the nutrient-poor substrate that the plant grows in. Uniquely among Pinguicula species from the Americas, p. orchidioides produces gemma-like basal buds which elongate into stolons and serve as a means of asexual reproduction. In the winter the plant forms a non-carnivorous rosette of small, fleshy leaves that conserves energy while food and moisture supplies are low. Single purple flowers appear between July and September on upright stalks up to 22 centimeters long.

<i>Dracaena pinguicula</i> Species of flowering plant

Dracaena pinguicula, synonym Sansevieria pinguicula, also known as the walking sansevieria, is a xerophytic CAM succulent native to the Bura area of Kenya, near Garissa. The species was described by Peter René Oscar Bally in 1943.

<i>Sempervivum ciliosum</i> Species of succulent

Sempervivum ciliosum, the Teneriffe houseleek is a species of flowering plant in the succulent stonecrop family, Crassulaceae, native to the Balkans and Southeastern Europe. Despite a superficial resemblance, houseleeks are not closely related to the American cacti family. A colony-forming evergreen perennial plant, each individual rosette can grow to around 7.5 cm (3.0 in) high and wide, forming dense mats of up to 50 cm (20 in) wide.

<i>Kalanchoe suarezensis</i> Species of succulent

Kalanchoe suarezensis is a species of Kalanchoe native to northern Madagascar.

<i>Nymphaea potamophila</i> Species of water lily

Nymphaea potamophila is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from Venezuela to northern Brazil. Additionally, it has been reported to occur in Colombia.

References

  1. ↑ "Kalanchoe Beharensis." Maine Van Der Schuff- Botanical Garden. 2005-2006. University of Pretoria. 5 May 2009 <http://www.up.ac.za/academic/botany/garden/species/95.html Archived 2006-09-23 at the Wayback Machine >
  2. ↑ de La Beaujardière, Jean-Marie, ed. (2001). "Botanical scientific names". Malagasy Dictionary and Malagasy Encyclopedia.
  3. ↑ "Kalanchoe beharensis (Velvet leaf)." Backyardgardener.com. 5 May 2009 <http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_2c5d.html>.
  4. ↑ Chernetsky, Mykhaylo, and Elizbieta Werysko-Chmielewska. "Structure of Trichomes from the Surface of Leaves of Some Species of Kalanchoe Adans." ACTA Biologica Cracoviensia Series Botanica 47/2 (2005): 15-22.
  5. ↑ Jacobsen, Hermann. A handbook of succulent plants: descriptions, synonyms and cultural details for succulents other than Cactaceae. London: Blandford Press, 1960.
  6. ↑ Lemke, Cal. "Kalanchoe beharensis - Elephant's Ear Kalanchoe." University of Oklahoma Department of Botany and Microbiology. 1998–2008. 1 May 2009 <http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week292.shtml>.
  7. ↑ Garces, Helena M. P. "Evolution of asexual reproduction in leaves of the genus Kalanchoe." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104. 39 (2007): 15578-83.
  8. ↑ "Kalanchoe beharensis risk assessment." Pacific Islands Ecosystems at risk. 10 Feb. 2005. 5 May 2009 <http://www.hear.org/pier/wra/pacific/kalanchoe_beharensis_htmlwra.htm>.
  9. ↑ Baker G, Jones LHP, Wardrop D. "Cause of wear in sheep's teeth." Nature 18 (1959): 1583-1584.
  10. ↑ Lucas, Peter W., et al. "Mechanical Defences to Herbivory." Annals of Botany 86 (2000): 913-920.
  11. ↑ Cooper SM, Owen-Smith N. "Effects of plant spinescence on large mammalian herbivores." Oecologia 68 (1986): 446-455.
  12. ↑ Kluge, Manfred, et al. "In situ studies of crassulacean acid metabolism in Kalanchoë beharensis Drake Del Castillo, a plant of the semi-arid southern region of Madagascar." New Phytologist 120. 3 (2006): 323-334.
  13. ↑ Crapon de Caprona, Dominique, and Patricia Lauer. "Plants toxic to dogs." Sloughis On Line. 4 May 2009 <http://sloughi.tripod.com/sloughisonline/Toxicplants.html>.
  14. 1 2 "Kalanchoe beharensis". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  15. ↑ "Kalanchoe Beharensis." Maine Van Der Schuff- Botanical Garden. 2005-2006. University of Pretoria. 4 May 2009 <http://www.up.ac.za/academic/botany/garden/species/95.html Archived 2006-09-23 at the Wayback Machine >
  16. ↑ Lemke, Cal. "Kalanchoe beharensis - Elephant's Ear Kalanchoe." University of Oklahoma Department of Botany and Microbiology. 1998-2008. 1 May 2009 <http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week292.shtml>.
  17. ↑ "Kalanchoe beharensis risk assessment." Pacific Islands Ecosystems at risk. 10 Feb. 2005. 5 May 2009 <http://www.hear.org/pier/wra/pacific/kalanchoe_beharensis_htmlwra.htm>.
  18. ↑ "Kalanchoe Beharensis." Maine Van Der Schuff- Botanical Garden. 2005-2006. University of Pretoria. 5 May 2009 <http://www.up.ac.za/academic/botany/garden/species/95.html Archived 2006-09-23 at the Wayback Machine >.
  19. ↑ "Kalanchoe beharensis 'Fang'". RHS. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  20. ↑ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 56. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
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