SUCCULENT SUNDAY: Kalanchoe eriophylla, thou woolliest of leaves

Also posted at SentientMeat.Net

I confess a personal weakness. I cannot resist the wildlife of Madagascar. Lemurs, aloes, bryophyllums, kalanchoes... This may be exoticism, orientalism, or some other unhealthy fascination. Probably the only cure—as with the phobias—is to confront the object of my obsession and see Madagascar in person. Soon, baby, soon.

Kalanchoe eriophylla grown & photographed by Mr Sentient Meat

The genus Kalanchoe is found in almost all of Madagascar's many regions and climates, except the central plains. Kalanchoe comprises about 100 species, of which 60 are endemic to Madagascar.
Many species of Kalanchoe have adapted a woolly or fuzzy tomentum: fibrous, protective leaf covering. Of these, Kalanchoe eriophylla (from Greek words for woolly and leaves) may be the woolliest of all. Its covering is even denser than that of the more common "Panda Plant" Kalanchoe tomentosa.

E.J. Lucas reports this wool is Kalanchoe eriophylla's adaptation to high montane Madagascar—moderate temperatures but punishing ultraviolet. Whatever the cause, Kalanchoe eriophylla is highly attractive and extremely pettable. In person, it's almost irresistible. What's more, it is adapted to a scrambling existence on mountainsides, so its stems can re-root along their length. This makes it fairly easy to propagate, though too much water or heat can kill it quickly.

Kalanchoe eriophylla pale-pink flower borne on long stalks with fuzzy sepals, photo by Pilar at Infojardin

Kalanchoe eriophylla was originally described (the word botanists prefer over discovered) in 1857 from a plant collected by Bojer on Mt Antogona, Imerina province. Reference specimens have been collected for herbariums from the central Madagascar Ankaratra massif, and the areas surrounding Tananarive, Imerina province. As recently as 1995, the species was reported "very abundant". Pieces are sold in markets and worn by Malagasy people as a good-luck charm, particularly in business or acquiring riches.

One of several common Malagasy names for Kalanchoe eriophylla is "Felatanantsifoana", meaning "palm of the hand never empty".

Kalanchoe eriophylla flower closeup, photo Creative Commons copyright 2009 Zoya Akulova

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See Also

Lucas, E. J. (2002), Plate 452. Kalanchoe Eriophylla Crassulaceae. Curtis's Botanical Magazine, 19: 232–236. doi: 10.1111/1467-8748.00354
Kalanchoe eriophylla at Encyclopedia of Life

SUCCULENT SUNDAY: Adromischus marianiae forma herrei: vivid, almost volcanic

It's slow, it's tiny, and yet it's one of my favorite plants. It is species Adromischus marianiae forma herrei in a vivid, dark-maroon form—deeply textured, almost like red coral or volcanic rock. This form was found by Bruyns in the Kourkammaberg mountain range, as reported in the book titled simply Adromischus, by Pilbeam, Rodgerson and Tribble, 1998.

Adromischus marianiae forma herrei, a seductive form reportedly found in the Kourkammaberg mountain range, 30 miles S of Maerport

The genus Adromischus is part of the Crassulaceae (stonecrop or orpine family) found growing with other leaf succulents in dry areas all over southern Africa. Adromischus is closely related to other southern Africa Crassulaceae: Tylecodon, Cotyledon—and it's not far from Kalanchoe. Adromischus (known as "adros" by afficionados) are found in every province of S Africa and in southern Namibia. Like this plant, they are all subshrubs or smaller. Luckily they do not seem to be in serious danger of extinction, though habitat loss can always threaten to wipe out specific forms occurring in tiny areas.

This species A marianiae forma herrei and its close relatives are found in westerly parts of Western Cape and Northern Cape.

The same plant from a different angle, grown and photographed by Mr Sentient Meat and twice a 3rd prize winner

I raised this plant from a tiny individual of 3 small leaves to the 14-leaf specimen you see here. It's still just over 3 inches from tip to tip. Although it has won a couple awards, I can't claim any great skill with this drop-dead gorgeous plant. I do watch it carefully, but I'm guessing that my Los Angeles climate and my rather negligent hand with the watering bucket just happen to favor it.

Adromischus marianiae is a large and complex species with many different subspecies or forms stretching hundreds of miles north-south in western South Africa. The size, shape and color of the succulent leaves varies widely, even within the "herrei" form. Some have leaves of a pale bluish green with maroon spots, others have red leaves, still others are nearly black. They grow rather slowly; they are small; some of them are rather difficult to grow well unless the climate is just right. Many of these forms are highly desirable and sometimes difficult to find.

The outstanding red-brown population of A. marianiae “herrei”, in the Harras area, W. Steinkopf. Photo at Adromischus Displayed, http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/adrodisp/marianiae-herrei.htm , copyright Derek Tribble

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See Also

Pilbeam, J.;  Rodgerson, C.; Tribble, D. 1998. Adromischus. Cirio Publishing Services Ltd. Southampton. ISBN: 0 9520382 4 8.
Adromischus marianiae forma herrei at Adromischus Displayed, by Derek Tribble