Life Leaf

Title

Life Leaf

Authors

Ethan H. Freid

Scientific Name

Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.

Description

Common Names

Life Leaf, Leaf of Life, Life Plant

Crassulaceae

Kalanchoe pinnata grows as a succulent herb to 2 meters tall when flowering, vegetative growth to 50 cm in height with hollow stems. In young plants the oppositely arranged leaves are simple becoming tri-pinnately compound as the plant matures. The leaf/leaflets are elliptic to 20 cm in length with a notched margin that produces plantlets and a rounded apex.

The pendulant, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in large panicles. The calyx has 4 fused sepals forming a tube. The corolla has 4 fused petals forming a tube that exceeds the calyx. There are 8 stamens fused to the base of the corolla. The ovary is superior with 4 locules and numerous seeds. The fruit is a capsule at maturity.

Kalanchoe pinnata grows in human disturbed areas particularly around abandoned dwellings and the edges of Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation- Shrublands

Kalanchoe pinnata occurs on all island groupings within the Bahamian Archipelago. Kalanchoe pinnata is native to Madagascar but widely distributed through tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

While not native to the Bahamas, Kalanchoe pinnata is used widely for medicinal purposes including respiratory illnesses (asthma, coughing, tuberculosis) and pain (headaches strains, painful urination/kidney infections).

In other areas of the Caribbean it is used as a cooling tea or as a poultice for sores.

It is also grown as an ornamental but can become problematic as it spreads rapidly by vegetative reproduction.