PLANT OF THE WEEK

Dr. T. Ombrello - UCC Biology Department

PANDA PLANT

Common names:         

Panda Plant, Panda-bear Plant, Pussy-ears, Plush Plant

Kalanchoe - adapted from the Chinese name for this genus of plants.

Note:  an old scientific name for this genus of plants is Bryophyllum. It is no longer in use today, but it still persists as a common name for this group.

tomentosa - densely woolly or velvety.

Kalanchoe tomentosa is a member of the Orpine family of plants (Crassulaceae), whose members are mostly thick, fleshy-leafed succulents. In fact, the family name comes from the Latin “crassus” meaning thick, in reference to the leaves.  There are about 125 species of Kalanchoe, most native to the Old World and especially Africa.  Kalanchoe tomentosa is found in the wild only on Madagascar.  

In nature, Kalanchoe tomentosa grows to several feet in height, with the base of the stem becoming woody with age.  Being a succulent, it thrives in well-drained soil in bright light.  Kalanchoe tomentosa has been a cultivated houseplant for many years since it remains as a relatively compact, sturdy, and hardy plant under the unfavorable plant growing conditions in homes.  It rarely flowers as a potted plant, and this is desirable since many Kalanchoes have lanky and unattractive blossoms that sap a great deal of strength from the plants.  

The common names for this species all refer to its leaf characteristics.  The leaves are entirely covered with a dense white-silver felt of plant hairs (trichomes).  The leaf apex has several teeth, each marked brown in color.  This suggests a plush fur, and with a little imagination, the color patterns are reminiscent of the Panda Bear.  

The dense covering of plant hairs performs a vital function for the plant in the form of water conservation.  In the dry environment in which it lives, Kalanchoe tomentosa must conserve what little water it can absorb from the soil.  The dense mat of hairs growing from the leaf retards the movement of air directly across the leaf surface, thereby reducing water vapor loss (transpiration).  The “dead-air” space created by the numerous trichomes insulates the leaf from its harsh external environment, too.  In addition, the white-silver appearance of the leaves reflects light, lessening the chances of the leaves overheating.