KALANCHOE PINNATA - AIR PLANT.
Synonym Cotyledon pinnata, Crassula pinnata and Bryophyllum pinnatum.
Common name Air plant, coirama, clapperbush, floppers green love, Wonder-Of-The-World, Mother Of Thousands, 'Oliwa Ka Kahakai, cathedral bells, miracle leaf, Mexican love plant; curtain plant, Coirana, Fjäderkalankoe, parnabija
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Family Crassulaceae (Orpine family).
Overview
Air plant is a succulent perennial with hollow stems growing 3 - 5 feet tall.
The stems are four-angled and the leaves are opposite, decussate, succulent, up to 8 inch long. The lower leaves are simple but the upper ones 3-7 foliate and are long-petioled.
It has red flowers in spreading panicles and seeds pods with smooth seeds within.
The plant stores water in the leaves for dryer periods; new individual plants develop vegetative at indents along the leaves.
Medicinal applications Flavonoids, cocumaric acid, benzenoids, infectious conditions, antibacterial - and antiviral fungicide, cough suppressor, hibitamine blocker, lower cholesterol, blood - vessel constrictor and against gastric ulcers.
Bufadienolide compounds isolated from this plants include bryophillin A; it showed strong anti-tumor promoting activity, and bersaldegenin-3-acetate and bryophillin C. Bryophillin C showed insecticidal properties.
Hardiness USDA zone: 8 - 11.
Propagation Seeds and leaves (Vegetative). Culture Plant in a shady spot, do not over-water.
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