Bryophyllum

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Bryophyllum (from the Greek bryo/bryein = sprout, phyllon = leaf) is a genus of plants belonging to the family Crassulaceae. There are about twenty to thirty species in the genus, native originally of South Africa, Madagascar and Asia, although now probably established in many parts of the warm world, either cultivated or as a garden escapee; it is also common in parts of Australia. The genus is notable for being Viviparous; small plantlets develop on the fringes of the leaves which eventually drop off and establish themselves. Some species are toxic (though minimally so) and have become noxious weeds in parts of the world (plant acid substances, bufadienolide, alkaloids, calciumoxalate, flavonoids, anthocyans...). Despite having been categorized as a "weed," several species have been widely cultivated ror their interest and attractiveness.

There are many hybrides (e.g. Bryophyllum crenatodaigremontianum = Br.crenatum X Br.daigremontianum; Bryophyllum, Houghton's Hybride = B.daigremontianum X B.delagoensis...).

Two of the most important species:

- Bryophyllum daigremontianum (Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier) = Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Raym.-Hamet & H.Perrier): Native of Madagascar; introduced and naturalized in many parts of tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia (Indian Ocean islands), North America (Florida) and South Africa; cultivated in Pakistan.

- Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken = Bryophyllum calycinum Salisb. = Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.: Native of Tropical Africa, cultivated or naturalized on many Pacific Islands (Tonga, Hawaii). Bryophyllum calycinum = pinnatum is also called 'The Goethe Plant' since the famous writer and scientist of his time Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was "passionately fond" of this plant.

1 Synonyms
2 Popular Uses
3 External links

[edit] Synonyms

Many names: Mother of Thousands; Mother of Millions; Devil's Backbone; Pregnant Plant, Mexican Hat Plant; Flopper; Sotre-Sotry; Air Plant; Miracle Leaf; Sprouting Leaf; Sprout Leaf Plant; Leaf of Life; Resurrection Plant; Canterbury Bells; Cathedral Bells; Mexican Love Plant; Life Plant; Floppers; Good Luck Leaf; Airplant; Lifeplant; Mexican Loveplant; Mother in Law; Tree Of Life; Hawaiian Air Leaf; Monkey Ears; Monkeys Ear...

[edit] German

Brutblatt, Wurzelblatt, Keimblatt, Knotenblatt, Moosblatt, Lebenszweig, Keimzumpe

[edit] Hawaiian

‘oliwa ku kahakai

[edit] Spanish

(Yerba de) Bruja; Prodigiosa; Flor de aire; Siempre Viva; Hoja Del Aire.

[edit] Hindi

Pathar Chat

[edit] Popular Uses

The plant is popular in India for its medicinal properties, where conventional wisdom purports the effect of dissolving and preventing kidney stones. Practice is to cleanse the leaves and eat them every morning for 40 days to dissolve existing stones, and regular ingestion to prevent future ones. It is popularly known in India as "Pathar Chat" (Hindi), which means "it licks away the stone".