Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

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] Regarding 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]

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]

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]

While generally disease-free, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana can be damaged by pest insects such as Otiorhynchus sulcatus (vine weevil) or mealybugs.[15]

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]

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  Virág
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  Kalanchoe Blossfeldina at the beginning of flowering
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  Kalanchoe Balossfeldina plant developing small sucker
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  One of the Calandiva line of double-flowered Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivars
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  Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plant

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