A succulent plant with native to Madagascar is called Bryophyllum daigremontianum, commonly known as mother-of-millions, mother-of-thousands, alligator plant, or Mexican hat plant. It has the same ability to reproduce vegetatively from plantlets that form on the borders of its phylloclade as other members of the genus Bryophyllum. All plant parts are lethal if consumed by children or small animals because they contain the poison daigremontianin and other bufadienolides.
Origination:
Suitable Uses:
Facts:
- Size: up to one meter (3 Feet)
- Zones 9b, 10a, 10b, and 11 are hardy.
- Continuity: Perennial
- Pink-colored flowers
- Features: Blooms with dazzling brilliant pink bells.
- Uses: As decorations.
A succulent, is Mother of Thousands?
- Soil: This plant does well in cactus mix, which has good drainage.
- Adaptability to drought and simplicity of plantlet propagation
When my mother saw the identification tag for the Kalanchoe daigremontiana, she chuckled. “Thousands of mothers! I’m sorry about this, “She sighed and stroked the leaf’s plantlet fringes. The mother-of-thousands is as prolific as it is maternalhundreds of small plants literally grow on the mother’s arms, keeping a watchful eye on her developing brood. Each plantlet is released and then drops to the ground to grow roots on its own, becoming the next “mother” in the lineage while never departing too far from home.
Because the mother-of-thousands lost the ability to generate viable seeds at some point in its evolutionary history, it was forced to rely on its leaves for reproduction, which made it an exceptional nurturer. As the plant reaches maturity, spoon-shaped spurs appear along the edge of its leaves, producing a little clone of the mother plant in each. These ad hoc plantlets cling to the mother plant’s leaves, which are now heaving under the weight of so many new plants, while they grow larger and develop roots.
The mother-of-thousands, a succulent that is native to southwest Madagascar and is a favorite indoor plant, does well in warm, dry environments. Although it does not regularly or frequently flower, when it does, the blossoms are magnificent. The central stalk has grown longer for the occasion, and a chandelier-like inflorescence of tiny pink bell-shaped blooms hangs above it. The tubular flowers draw hummingbirds as well.
The mother-of-thousands does not show the same consideration for the young of other species, as all of the plant’s parts are lethal to small animals and children who consume them.
Bryophyllum: a shrub or a herb?
The crassulaceae family include the fleshy herb Bryophyllum pinnatum, which can grow up to 120 cm.
The leaves have petioles and might be simple or trifoliate. When they fall to the ground, they can produce new plants vegetatively since they are green with purple serrated margins. In slack panicles with a swollen tubular calyx, the flowers are falling. It comes from Madagascar. It is an important ornamental and medicinal plant. In Yoruba, it is known as Abamoda. It is also known as the “wonder leaf,” “life plant,” and “never die plant.”
Before I continue, I’d want to share a study I ran across. I’ll attempt to make things simpler. Robert Kelechi Obi and colleagues conducted this study to look into the antiviral properties of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Viscum album. These plants’ recent leaves were gathered and dried. Methanol was used for extraction. Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) was recovered from a positive HSV-1 male patient, whereas the measles (MV), polio PV, and yellow fever (YFV) viruses were isolated from their respective immunizations. Two of the viruses were shown to be susceptible to B. pinnatum (L.) and V. album, according to the antiviral analysis’s findings (L.). While MV was responsive to V. album, HSV-1 was sensitive to B. pinnatum (L.). At the same quantities, both plant extracts proved ineffective against the PV and YFV.
“This study has demonstrated that the solution to the global menace of MV and HSV-1 viral illnesses could be discovered in the forest zones of Nigeria,” the study’s conclusion states. We can see that our own abamoda is a treatment for the measles and herpes viruses, despite the fact that human medicine has made significant advances in this area. This should serve as a warning that the COVID 19 pandemic cure may already exist!
I paid a local senior citizen a visit as I was getting ready for this. I took a leaf when I saw the plant in her home and chewed and washed it. Ife Ogunlowo, the director of the pharmacognosy department’s herbarium at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, shared some of his experiences with the plant with me. A youngster sobbed all night long, but due to the distance, it was impossible to transport the child to the hospital. The youngster’s forehead was covered with a steaming plant leaf, and after a short while, the child fell asleep. He added that he had utilized the herb to help one of his kids with a headache issue.
I had a different conversation. Evangelist Calista Oke is her name. She also told me that the plant is used on infants’ navels.
The plant is widely used in traditional medicine. Numerous ailments, including rheumatism, cough, asthma, tonsillitis, diarrhoea, bodily ache, arthritis, heartburn, skin ulcers, peptic ulcers, diabetes mellitus, and microbiological infections have been treated with it. Insect bites, boils, and wounds are treated with it. The plant is particularly well-known in Nigeria for its capacity to remove infants’ umbilicuses and to effectively treat wounds. The roots are used to make cough medication in Sierra Leone. In Jamaica, leaves are heated and applied to sores and abscesses. In China, it is applied to bruising, burns, ulcers, and rheumatoid arthritis. The leaves are used with Opuntia stricta and Euphorbia hypericifolia in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa to treat gonorrhea.
Pharmacological studies on the plant revealed a range of biological activities, some of which could support the plant’s traditional uses. These biological activities included immunomodulatory, CNS depressant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-tumor, anti-ulcer, insecticidal, anti-diabetic, anti-convulsant, antioxidant, and anti-hypertensive properties. Numerous different active phytochemicals, including alkaloids, triterpenes, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, bufadienolides, lipids, and organic acids, have also been identified in studies. These substances are thought to be in charge of the plant’s many pharmacological actions.
How is Bryophyllum cared for?
One-foot-tall, umbrella-shaped flower stalks covered in bell-shaped flowers in burgundy, scarlet, or mauve hues are occasionally produced by mother-of-thousands. The National Gardening Association advises that the flowers naturally bloom between late summer and early winter, although flowering is variable and inconsistent. Mother-of-thousands is most likely to bloom when it is exposed to extended periods of darkness, just like other kalanchoe species. It takes a little more work to get these plants to blossom because the majority of modern homes don’t naturally stay dark enough to promote blooming.
From mid-autumn to mid-winter, keep them in complete darkness for 14 hours every day, followed by 10 hours of intense light. During this induction phase, water the plant sparingly, letting the soil almost entirely dry between applications. The next spring, relocate the plant to a sunny, protected area where it can spend the summer outside. In autumn, bring it back inside before the temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain it well.
What do you call the young succulents?
they develop from the full-grown plant. They can also be known as pups. This is merely one more
Succulent offset data reveals “A little, nearly full daughter plant that has grown organically and asexually from the mother plant is known as an offset. They are clones, which means that they share the mother plant’s genetic makeup. This is one of the simplest ways to multiply succulents because they are clones of the parent.
The mature, healthy plant finally gives rise to tiny pups. Some species produce stems with growing pups at the ends. Others develop bunches on the sides of the plants that seem to double, which prompts you to wonder, “Does my succulent have pups yet? Offsets can occasionally grow beneath the plant without your knowledge until they are mature. You’ll eventually get the ability to recognize puppies on succulents.
Succulent or Kalanchoe?
Succulent plants called kalanchoes are frequently grown for their tiny, vibrant flowers. The most well-known is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, also called the panda plant, flaming Katy, or widow’s thrill. They are well-known indoor plants that are planted for their vivid blossoms, which come in colors of red, magenta, yellow, orange, and white.
Robert Blossfeld, who discovered the plant in its native Madagascar, is remembered by the name Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. They grow in arid environments in their natural habitat, therefore they don’t require much watering. They flower for around eight weeks and require very little upkeep. The plants are frequently presented as gifts and are widely accessible in supermarkets, garden centers, and florists. After they bloom, many people throw them away. The good news is that with a little work, they can be made to bloom once more.
The double flowers on calandiva persist a little longer and are a little bigger. From Kalanchoe blossfeldiana they were bred.
In addition, several varieties of kalanchoe are planted for their lovely leaves rather than their flowers. Among them are the colorful and unique paddle plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) and the dust plant with powdery leaves (Kalanchoe pumila).
Can I hold Mother of Thousands in my arms?
Once grown, it is resilient, drought-resistant, and even tolerant of full sun and extremely high temperatures.
However, it is advised to cultivate a mother of thousands in cacti potting mix and to keep it out of direct sunlight while providing bright light for optimal results.
Even though the plant doesn’t always bloom, when it does, the blooming process begins at the start of a warm season.
Are Mother of Thousands Plants Poisonous or Toxic?
Despite the thousands mother’s popularity as a houseplant, growing one requires extreme caution, especially if you have kids or pets.
The plant includes daigremontianin, a cotyledonous and highly poisonous cardiac glycoside steroid from the bufadienolides family that is known to cause cardiac toxicity.
Cotyledonous intoxication is a type of intoxication brought on by repeatedly taking the poison in lesser dosages.
One of the main sources of this toxin is the Crassulaceae family, which accounts for an estimated 33 percent of all plant poisoning-related cattle mortality in South Africa.
It is well recognized that the plant is harmful to people, domestic animals, birds, and livestock.
What Parts of the Mother of Thousands Are Poisonous or Toxic?
The Kalanchoe plant is hazardous when consumed, and all portions of it, including the tiny plantlets on the edges of the leaves, are dangerous.
However, you must take precautions to not only keep the plant out of the reach of children and animals, but also to remove any small plantlets that may fall off the plant as soon as they appear.
The poisonous substance is also present in the milky sap that the main plant’s damaged or broken stems produce.
As a result, it is advised to use caution and wear safety gear when working with the plant.
What Are The Symptoms Of Poisoning?
The thousands mother plant frequently causes gastric distress and gastrointestinal irritation when consumed in little doses, which can result in vomiting and diarrhea.
However, consuming huge quantities of the plant might result in some major health problems, such as heart palpitations and changes in heart rate.
The mother of thousands is lethal if consumed in excessive quantities, especially for tiny animals and kids.
Although it has not been discovered that the sap causes any issues when it comes into touch with the skin, it is still best to exercise caution, especially if you have sensitive skin. It might make you allergic or irritate your skin.
How to Protect Yourself While Handling Mother of Thousands
When working with the Mother of Thousands, it is advised to put on disposable protective gloves to avoid coming into contact with its lethal milky sap.
Wear full clothing and avoid touching your face or any other part of your body while dealing with a mother of millions to be even more cautious.
Finally, keep the plant indoors or in a greenhouse to prevent accidental ingestion by kids, animals, dogs, birds, or any other animal.
When kept indoors, though, be sure to put it up high and out of the way of kids and animals.
Additionally, as the plant tends to drop its plantlets rather frequently, clean the area around it on a regular basis.
Bryophyllum can it grow indoors?
The kalanoche will thrive in temperatures between 65 and 75 F. (16C – 24C). It requires at least four hours of sunlight each day. If you grow it outdoors, move it inside before the first frosts, but do it gradually because the plant could become stressed by the sudden change in temperature.
Light:
Watering:
Only water the soil if it is dry. Avoid letting the leaves get moist as this could lead to rotting. Water should be at room temperature. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings over the winter.
Soil:
This plant will do well with a commercial cactus soil blend. For enhanced drainage when using normal soil, add additional sand or perlite.
Re-Potting:
only when the plant outgrows the pot, in the early spring. Select the following pot that is a little bigger than the first one.
Fertilizer:
between March and September, each and every month. Use a liquid fertilizer that has been cut in half.
Humidity:
High humidity is not to its liking. For this plant, an average room humidity is ideal.
Propagation:
From the leaves, take a few of the plantlets. Fill a pot with the cactus mix dirt. Since the roots won’t be very long at first, the pot doesn’t need to be too deep. Place the plantlets on the soil’s surface. Cover it with plastic wrap. Place the pot in a bright area. Maintain soil moisture without overwatering. When the plants get tall enough and just touch the plastic, remove the plastic wrap. When the new plants outgrow the pot, replant them in a larger one.
Potential Problems
Although mother of thousands is among the easiest plants to care for, issues can sometimes arise.
Mealy bugs: Wipe the leaves with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol to get rid of them.
Stem rot: As with most succulent plants, if the temps drop too low or you overwater the plant, the stems will rot. This will quickly kill the plant.
Separate your plant from other plants as soon as you detect that it has insects or other bugs on it.