Crassulaceae

Kalanchoe x houghtonii

Common Names: Alligator plant

Plant Form: Upright perennial succulent herb. Size: 0.3-1.8 m tall. Stem: Fleshy, rounded, hairless, unbranched except for flowerhead. Grey, greyish-green or pinkish-grey. Leaves: Fleshy, folded or boat-shaped 4-8 cm long, with many small teeth along the edges, from which plantlets can be produced. Greyish-green and variegated. Flowers: Bell-shaped 2-4 cm long, red, orange-red or pinkish-red. With 4 fused petals at end. Drooping and in tightly grouped clusters. Fruit and Seeds: Dry, papery, about 1 cm long, enclosed in old flower parts, deeply divided into 4 sections, with minute brown seeds. Habitat: Roadsides, disturbed areas, woodlands, coastal scrub, semi-arid areas, pastures. Distinguishing Features: Extremely similar to Mother-of-thousands (Bryophyllum daigremontianum) but has slightly smaller leaves. Very similar to Mother-of-millions (Bryophyllum delagoense) but has boat-shaped rather than cylindrical leaves.