From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kalanchoe daigremontiana is a succulent plant in the Crassulaceae family that is unusual in that it produces baby plants along the edges of its leaves which then drop to the soil below and take root. This plant is also distinguished by its ability to propagate via three different means. the developing saplings on its adapted leaves often produce their own root, leaf and stalk systems whilst suspended in the air and are capable of survival without their own water supply for many weeks before falling to the soil and taking up root. The parent plant can also develop lateral root structures as high as 10-15cms up its main stalk.
The upper leaves of the plant tend to develop into disproportionately large structures, causing the main stalk to bend downwards and the lateral roots to take up root of their own, anchoring into the soil and eventually develop new primary stalks, thus distinguishing themselves as independent plants. Furthermore, the Kalanchoe daigremontianum can go through a flowering season, where the main stalk elongates vertically upwards by as much as 30cms and, within a couple of days, develops an umbrella structure of small bell-shaped pink flowers. The latter is, however, not an annual system and will occur sporadically if at all.
K. daigremontiana is not native to North America but was introduced to Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii where it has gained a foothold. It is a primarily ornamental plant and may be toxic to humans. Devil's Backbone, as it is sometimes called, was imported from Madagascar.
