The Kalanchoe pinnata is a succulent and a native of Madagascar. It's widely cultivated in temperate regions because of ease of propagation. In other areas, it can be grown as an indoor plant.
What's astonishing about this plant is its method of reproduction. Tiny plantlets begin to grow on the notches along the margins of its leaves. As soon as the plantlets develop roots they can be severed from the mother leaf and transplanted as individual plants.
The "Katakataka" (try pronouncing it fast if you don't speak Filipino) has become so common in the Philippines that almost nobody cares about this plant anymore. Even I was not a fan of this plant.
As I was walking around the garden last February, I was drawn to this curious profusion of chandelier-like clusters of upside-down flowers that are bell-shaped, reddish in color and dangling like pendants. In my several decades of existence it was my first time to see such a bloom. "How beautiful!" was all that I could say.
Upon closer inspection, it was a revelation. Surprise, surprise! The lowly "Katakataka" does not only reproduce in a remarkable way, its flowers are even more remarkable. This drew out a renewed interest in me. I will no longer ignore or dismiss this plant.
Because of its unusual but easy way of reproduction it has become an invasive plant in other parts of the world, especially in Hawaii. It's so easy to grow and as a succulent it even thrives on neglect. One leaf alone can produce several plantlets in no time.
In a sparsely populated garden like ours, plant invasion is still a welcome event.
5 comments:
I dont like this 'katakataka', as it really gets invasive and you can find a lot of seedlings everywhere. There is a bigger version of this one with nice long-big leaves like agave, which has the same characteristics. I haven't seen the flowers though because it gets topled by chicken or goat before producing the flowers. But this one i've seen many. If only it's not very prolific, yes it is lovely too. You should have put the photos, where all those leaves have those little plantlets on all those serrations! Now this reminded me to post that one, however i still dont know its ID.
really astonishing!!!...how i wish this flowers has lights at night so it will be tiny chandeliers in your garden...i guess these are abodes of garden fairies...:)
I have this plant. May not be exactly the same. I didn't know there are flowers. Those plantlets look like flowers too. But of course the flowers are a lot more beautiful. I wonder if mine will flower too.
I am sure I got leaves from this plant from another gardener. It has never flowered and I quite forgot what the flowers look like. Now I am anxious for it to flower so that I can see...
Hello Andrea,
There were no leaves with plantlets when I took pictures of the plant.
I'm curious with the plant you mentioned. Please post it when you remember its name.
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Hello Ely,
As long as the garden fairires are the good kind they're welcome in the garden :)
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Hello One,
I didn't know it flowers too until I saw it myself. I'm not sure if all varieties flower. I hope they do.
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Hello Africanaussie,
Your Miracle Leaf will flower eventually. When it does, don't forget to take pictures and share it with us :)
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