Species
Bryophyllum delagoense
Etymology
Bryophyllum: From the Greek bryo 'to sprout' and phyllon 'leaf' alluding to the leaves bearing plantlets around their edges
Common Name(s)
mother of millions
Family
Crassulaceae
Flora Category
Vascular - Exotic
Structural Class
Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites
Features
Habitat
Similar Taxa
This perennial plant is a succulent that can form large clumps. Mother of millions grows up to approximately 60 cm high and has cylindrical leaves. These are fleshy and green with purple markings, arranged around the stem, almost like a conifer branch. The flowers are orange coloured, downwards-facing bells. They are clustered at the tops of the straight, grey-coloured stems. (Ermert and Clapp 1998)
Flowering
August, September, October
Flower Colours
Orange,Yellow
Year Naturalised
1988
Origin
South Africa, Madagascar
Reproduction
This plant gains its name from its ability to form many new plants. New plantlets are formed at the leaf tips and drop to the ground to start a new plant. (Ermert and Clapp 1998)
Seed
4 clustered follicles (dry fruit). Produces many seeds (Coastcare, 1998)
This page last updated on 18 Jan 2010