Flolape

airplant

Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.
airplant
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers., a species of the Crassulaceae family, is native to Madagascar. It is known by common names such as airplant, cathedral bells, and miracle leaf. This succulent has become naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and is widely cultivated as a houseplant. The species is characterized by the formation of miniature plantlets along the margins of its leaves, a feature shared with other members of the genus Bryophyllum.

Description

Kalanchoe pinnata is a well-established species within the Crassulaceae family, first published in 1805. It is widely distributed in regions including the Açores, Madeira, and parts of South America, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. The taxonomy of K. pinnata has been clarified in recent studies, confirming its status as an accepted species. Its ability to produce plantlets on leaf margins contributes to its ease of propagation and adaptability, making it a common ornamental plant. The species has been the subject of nomenclatural and taxonomic discussions, with recent work resolving its classification.

Other common names

Cathedral bellsMexican loveplantairplantcurtainplantgood-luck-leaflifeplantmother-in-lawtree-of-lifemiracle-leafcathedral-bellsfloppers

Distribution

Açores · Madeira · Boyacá; Santa maría · BR · Faial Island · Pico Island · Santa Maria Island · São Miguel Island · Madeira Island · SFF Iguaque | Parque Nacional Natural Complejo Volcanico Doña Juana - Cascabel · MM · SC · Rapa Nui - Easter Islands · LC · CU · CK · SX · NU · AS · Kosrae · Yap · WS · PW · SB · AI · BI · Saint Barthelemy · VC · NR · KI

Synonyms

Vereia pinnataBryophyllum calcicolaBryophyllum calycinumBryophyllum germinansBryophyllum pinnatumCotyledon calycinaCotyledon calyculataCotyledon pinnataCotyledon rhizophyllaCrassula pinnataCrassuvia floripendiaKalanchoe pinnata var. brevicalyxKalanchoe calcicolaKalanchoe brevicalyxSedum madagascarienseCrassuvia floripenulaKalanchoe pinnata var. floripendulaCotyledon calyculataKalanchoe pinnata var. calcicola

Related species