Curio repens

Curio repens, syn. Senecio serpens, is a species of the genus Curio in the Asteraceae family. A succulent endemic to the Western Cape province of South Africa, it is typically found growing from crevices in rocky sandstone slopes. Commonly named blue chalksticks, it is used as an ornamental plant.

Curio repens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Curio
Species:
C. repens
Binomial name
Curio repens
P.V.Heath
Synonyms[1]
  • Cacalia glauca Salisb.
  • Cacalia repens L.
  • Kleinia repens Haw.
  • Notonia glauca S.Moore
  • Senecio repens (L.) H.Jacobsen
  • Senecio serpens G.D.Rowley
  • Senecio succulentus Sch.Bip.

Description

It is a semi-trailing, low-growing dwarf shrub that forms a dense mat that reaches only about 20 cm in height and features silvery-blueish, finger-like fleshy leaves.[2] It produces small and round, pompom-like flowers that may superficially resemble a virus. The flowers appear as off-white from distance, but would have yellow and pink tinges on the stamen up-close. Flowering season is usually between spring and autumn. It was first formally described as Cacalia repens by Carl Linnaeus in 1767.[3]

It should be distinguished from Curio talinoides by its shorter, broader and often boat-shaped leaves.[4]

Cultivation

Drought tolerant, the plant is used as a ground cover, border plant or in a rock garden. It is grown in sandy, dry to slightly moist soils in sun or some partial shade. It is easily propagated by cuttings.

There is a hybrid of this and Curio talinoides that is known as 'Trident Blue'.

  • In a rock garden
  • Mass growing
  • Close up
  • Leaf close up
  • Mat formation
  • Flower up-close

References
  1. "Curio repens (L.) P.V.Heath". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  2. "Senecio serpens". African Plants Database. Natural History Museum of Geneva, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève and Tela Botanica. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  3. "Curio repens". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  4. Curio talinoides (DC.) P.V.Heath by PlantZAfrica.com
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