Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

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]

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Dark red variety of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: 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

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 伽藍菜 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
Potted Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

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]

Cultivation

With a minimum temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) K. blossfeldiana requires the protection of glass during the winter months in temperate locations. It needs to be in a cool, partially shaded spot. However it may be placed outside in summer. In the UK It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[18][19]

  • Leaf
  • Young plant
  • Flowers
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References
  1. "Kalanchoe globulifera var. coccinea H. Perrier". The Plant List. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  2. 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. "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". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 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. 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. "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.
  18. "RHS Plantfinder - Kalanchoe blossfeldiana". Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  19. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal HorticulturalSociety. July 2017. p. 56. Retrieved 14 March 2018.

See also
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