Also posted at MadProfessah.com

I confess a personal weakness. I cannot resist the wildlife of Madagascar. Lemurs, aloes, bryophyllums, kalanchoes… This may be exoticism, orientalism, or some other unhealthy fascination. Probably the only cure—as with the phobias—is to confront the object of my obsession and see Madagascar in person. Soon, baby, soon.

Kalanchoe eriophylla grown & photographed by Mr Sentient Meat

The genus Kalanchoe is found in almost all of Madagascar’s many regions and climates, except the central plains. Kalanchoe comprises about 100 species, of which 60 are endemic to Madagascar.

Many species of Kalanchoe have adapted a woolly or fuzzy tomentum: fibrous, protective leaf covering. Of these, Kalanchoe eriophylla (from Greek words for woolly and leaves) may be the woolliest of all. Its covering is even denser than that of the more common “Panda Plant” Kalanchoe tomentosa.

E.J. Lucas reports this wool is Kalanchoe eriophylla‘s adaptation to high montane Madagascar—moderate temperatures but punishing ultraviolet. Whatever the cause, Kalanchoe eriophylla is highly attractive and extremely pettable. In person, it’s almost irresistible. What’s more, it is adapted to a scrambling existence on mountainsides, so its stems can re-root along their length. This makes it fairly easy to propagate, though too much water or heat can kill it quickly.

Kalanchoe eriophylla pale-pink flower borne on long stalks with fuzzy sepals, photo by Pilar at Infojardin

Kalanchoe eriophylla was originally described (the word botanists prefer over discovered) in 1857 from a plant collected by Bojer on Mt Antogona, Imerina province. Reference specimens have been collected for herbariums from the central Madagascar Ankaratra massif, and the areas surrounding Tananarive, Imerina province. As recently as 1995, the species was reported “very abundant”. Pieces are sold in markets and worn by Malagasy people as a good-luck charm, particularly good luck in business or acquiring riches.

One of several common Malagasy names for Kalanchoe eriophylla is “Felatanantsifoana”, meaning “palm of the hand never empty”.

Kalanchoe eriophylla flower closeup, photo Creative Commons copyright 2009 Zoya Akulova

See Also

Lucas, E. J. (2002), Plate 452. Kalanchoe Eriophylla Crassulaceae. Curtis’s Botanical Magazine, 19: 232–236. doi: 10.1111/1467-8748.00354

Kalanchoe eriophylla at Encyclopedia of Life

Also posted at The Mad Professah Lectures

Adenia stylosa, photo by Mr Sentient Meat of his plant

Okay, maybe Adenia stylosa isn’t truly evil. But its heart-shaped purplish leaves are the color of a deep wound. They do have dark red veins. And consider the stem… the gnarled, waxy, green, enlarged trunk or caudex. To me it looks like a living version of a melted candle destined for a Satanic ritual. In fact this plant’s common name is reportedly “Candlestick Plant”. That’s fitting, as far as it goes. It does lack a bit of punch, a bit of drama. I think we should all start calling it “Satan’s Candle”. Who will be the wiser? Common names don’t really matter anyway. Whatever you call it, it’s a plant straight out of Charles Addams or Edward Gorey.

Adenia stylosa "Candlestick Plant" photo by Michael Malice of his plant

Now to the anatomy of evil… or at least the secrets behind Adenia stylosa‘s macabre appearance. Its above-ground tuber… okay, “tuber” doesn’t sound very evil… this caudex even has vaguely anatomical “hips”: actually a distinctly swollen hypocotyl, the portion of the stem below where its cotyledons were attached and fell away in the seedling’s infancy. The leaves are dark and attractive, varying between individuals as shown in this picture by Olaf Pronk.

Adenia stylosa leaves vary greatly between individuals

Adenia stylosa was known previously as a subspecies of Adenia firingalavensis or Adenia epigea but is now considered a separate species. It lives in Northern Madagascar, in Ankarana National Park among other places.

One last thing. If you have the pleasure of meeting Adenia stylosa in person, don’t be tempted to eat it. Not even that “above-ground tuber”. All parts of this plant are poisonous. And that’s… well… maybe just a little bit evil.

Huntington Botanical Garden’s introduction of related Adenia epigea