This species has often been treated in the literature as Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken. However, recent research such as Descoings B. 2006 Le genre Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae) : structure et definition. J. Bot. Soc. Bot. France 33. 3-28. has supported combining the three genera (Bryophyllum, Kitchingia and Kalanchoe) into the single genus Kalanchoe.

Common Name: Mother of Millions

General Information

Kalanchoe pinnata is an erect, evergreen, usually unbranched, smooth, succulent herb growing from 40 - 200cm tall[]. The stems usually become more or less woody, especially near the base. Plants can become more or less leafless when flowering[, ].
The plant has a wide range of medicinal uses and is often harvested from the wild. It is commonly grown as an ornamental in the tropics, and as a houseplant in colder areas.

Known Hazards

Plants contain bufadienolide cardiac glycosides that can cause cardiac poisoning, particularly in grazing animals[].

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Madagascar, Mauritius. Widely naturalized throughout the tropics.

Habitat

Open settled areas, dry second-growth forests, etc[]. Roadsides[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position but tolerant of some shade. Found mainly in drier soils in the wild, it is tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions in cultivation so long as the soil is well drained. Established plants are drought tolerant.
The plant spreads easily by means of the small plantlets produced on the leaves. Although widely grown as an ornamental, it has also commonly escaped from cultivation and has become a weed in many areas of the tropics[].
Small plantlets develop along the notches of the leaf margins; these can develop while still attached to the plant or when detached[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are astringent, antibacterial, antiseptic, demulcent, diuretic and febrifuge[, ]. They are also used as a counterirritant against poisonous insect bites[, ]. The juice, used on its own or miixed with lard, is used in the treatment of bilious diarrhoea, diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, acute nephritis, lithiasis and phthisis[]. The leaf-juice, combined with salt, is used as a treatment for colds, coughs, grippe, loose bowels and teething babies348].
Applied externally, the fresh leaves are pounded and then applied to burns; are used as poultices on boils and ulcers; as a treatment for headaches; as a remedy for ringworm; or are placed on the soles of the feet in order to stop haemorrhages[, , ]. They are used as a topical application in the treatment of dislocations, equimosis, callosities, etc[]. Mixed with salt, they are applied as a plaster to the abdomen to relieve eneurosis[]. The leaves can be made pliable by being held over fire, and are then applied as a treatment on wounds, bruises, and boils[]. The dried leaves can be applied as a powder on bad ulcers[]. The juice is applied topically in the treatment of earache, conjunctivitis and ophthalmia[, ]. The leaves and leaf-juice are mixed with coconut oil and Carapa oil and then rubbed on the head to treat violent and persistent headache[].

A cough medicine is made from the roots[].

The leaves contain malic acid[].
The plant contains fumaric acid, and saponins that have cicatrizant properties[].

Other Uses

The leaves are macerated, soaked in water, and then used as a shampoo[].

Propagation

Seed -
Small plantlets are produced along the edges of leaves - these can be detatched and grown on.
Easy to propagate vegetatively - just one leaf with part of its stem, when set on the soil, will produce roots and grow into a new plant.

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