(Kalanchoe pinnata) Family: Crassulaceae
Also known as: Cathedral Bells, Flaming Katy, Goethe Plant, Life Plant, and Miracle Leaf
Origin: Asia, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Micronesia, Mascarenes, Melanesia, New Zealand, Philippines, Polynesia, and West Indies
Written further about in The Civilized Jungle, Volume III and The Medicinal Jungle, Volume II
This character – and his kin – have almost as many homes as Oprah Winfrey and Ted Turner!
Like some families we know, there may be those of (“Well, you know Uncle Harry. He was a bit of a ‘rounder!’”) questionable membership! The same seems to apply to the Kalanchoe genus, as – depending on with whom one speaks – its number varies from 120 to 174. The “family founders” appear to have been from Madagascar and tropical Africa, with their family ultimately spreading throughout a large portion of the tropics.
Sharing a great deal with Beate and me, they love the sun and seek it for the longest time possible. So, as a houseplant, a south-facing window is ideal, though a west-facing will also work.
And, sharing something else in common with us, they definitely care not, the proverbial whit, for any manner of cold, so make sure to keep them away from drafty windows and doors.
While we have “planted” ourselves, home-wise, and travel well within semi-tropical and tropical environs!
Nifty Nuggets of Knowledge: The name Kalanchoe comes from the Cantonese phrase Kalan Chau – written in kanji as 伽藍菜– should you have burning need to know – meaning “that
which falls and grows.” This refers to the way certain of these species propagate by dropping plantlets from their leaves. Furthermore, as a result of its long-lasting blooms, this flowering succulent symbolizes persistence and eternal love.
Beyond that, it’s nickname, “Widow’s Thrill,” perhaps stemming from the idea that a widow, who may be dealing with grief and loss, would not have the time or energy to care for her plants, yet those of the Kalanchoe genus are resilient enough to survive. Hey, we’re not just about colds and headaches here!
They can happily bloom almost year-round with a profusion of flowers that persists for six to eight weeks. Requiring six to eight hours of sunlight per day, they vastly exceed that of some late sleeping teenagers with whom we may be familiar!
But, they’ve long held a job comprised of numerous medicinal applications. Used in folk medicine for quite several years, they, ethnobotanically, have long been applied in the treatment of gastric ulcers, kidney stones, pulmonary infections, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Furthermore, traditionally, a plant paste made from the Air Plant has long been applied on foreheads to alleviate headaches with its fresh sap used for eye diseases.
In some manner or another of application it has also been used for asthma, bleeding problems, blood vessel constriction, boils, broken bones, bronchitis, burns, cholesterol-lowering, cough suppression, cuts, diarrhea, earaches, edema, eye infections, fever reduction, gastric ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, heartburn, insect bites, jaundice, kidney stones, migraines, muscle relaxant, pulmonary infections, respiratory issues, skin disorders, stomach problems, toothaches, ulcer prevention, urethritis, and wounds of all manner, as well as pain relief of various sorts.
Beyond all that, some of this genus can remove mild airborne contaminants and chemicals from the air with – at the other end of the spectrum – Indigenous people of the Amazon considering it a popular cure for cancer! So, employing a bit of baseball idiom, these plant
folks seem to be the ultimate utility players, being able – short of heart transplant and brain surgery – to do durned near everything medicinally asked of them!
Contemporary research has confirmed their potential anti-cancer and insecticidal active compounds, while its other phytochemicals are said to be rather effective against urinary tract infections, parasitic problems, and bacterial difficulties, in addition to being anti-ulcer active and an anti-depressant. They are also being studied for their potential anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and wound-healing properties, with some research suggesting they may also have anti-viral effects.
Now, with all the preceding stated, don’t just go out, pick a handful of their leaves leaf and arbitrarily start gnawing on them! Like Oleander and Foxglove, those of the Kalanchoe genus are known to contain toxins that could – if incorrectly ingested – affect the heart.
As I say, regarding all of the medicinal plants I write about – always – conduct your own research and due diligence and check with a competent, fully-knowledgeable healthcare provider before commencing to self-medicate.
