Kalanchoe laciniata
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ff3c7cddd7129094474 |
| Scientific name | Kalanchoe laciniata |
| Authority | (L.) DC. |
| First published in | Pl. Hist. Succ. : t. 100 (1802) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Across South Asia, leaves of Kalanchoe laciniata are made into mild teas and decoctions to address fever, headache, and mild digestive upset (Ghani, 1998). In the Caribbean and coastal regions of Central America, practitioners traditionally collect fresh leaves, bruise them to release sap, and apply the leaf juice directly to inflamed or painful ears; this poultice is renewed two or three times daily until discomfort subsides (Caceres et al., 1997). In parts of Kenya and Tanzania, healers prepare a maceration of the fresh, chopped aerial parts in cool water to calm coughs and soothe bronchial irritation; the filtered liquid is taken in small, repeated doses (Bennett et al., 2021). These preparations consistently use the leaf or above‑ground plant material, with short extraction times and frequent, small doses.
One practical and commonly described preparation is a cold maceration used as a gargle and gentle expectorant. Take roughly 25–30 g of fresh chopped leaves and aerial stems, place them in 300–400 mL of cool, clean water, and let stand (macerate) for 20–30 minutes, stirring gently. Strain through clean muslin, and use the liquid to gargle three to four times daily and sip in 30–50 mL portions at one‑ to two‑hour intervals as needed. Because bufadienolide cardiac glycosides are present in the leaves of this species and can irritate the gut or affect sensitive individuals, avoid doses above approximately 600–700 mL total per day, and do not use during pregnancy or while taking other cardiac glycoside medicines (e.g., digitalis). Persons with arrhythmia, uncontrolled hypertension, or heart failure should not self‑use this preparation.
Well‑established phytochemicals in Kalanchoe laciniata include bufadienolide cardiac glycosides such as bersaldegenin 1,3,5‑orthoacetate (commonly called bersaldegenin‑1‑acetate) and bryophyllin B, as well as flavonoids and phenolic acids (e.g., quercetin derivatives and caffeic acid). These constituents can have antibacterial, anti‑inflammatory, and analgesic effects, which plausibly support the traditional uses for fever, coughs, and topical earache relief (Bennett et al., 2021; OECD, 2020).
Modern relevance remains robust: pharmacological screens continue to validate antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory activities associated with these bufadienolides and phenolics, and standardized leaf extracts of Kalanchoe laciniata are commercially available in several regions as dietary supplements or topical formulations (OECD, 2020).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Kalanchoe laciniata is cultivated as an ornamental succulent for indoor and outdoor horticulture. It is offered by commercial nurseries as a potted houseplant, a specimen for rock gardens, xeriscapes, and low‑water landscapes, and as a cut‑flower component for decorative arrangements. The plant’s fleshy, deeply lobed leaves and compact habit make it attractive for terrariums and container gardening. Propagation is accomplished by leaf cuttings, offsets, and tissue culture, which supports a reliable supply chain in the horticultural trade. It is also used in educational horticulture programs and as a demonstration plant for drought‑resilience workshops.
Scientific/model‑organism use:
The species serves as a model organism in research on Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). Various studies have used K. laciniata as a model organism for CAM research, including genome‑scale analyses and transcriptomic profiling. Its relatively small genome size and rapid vegetative propagation make it suitable for experimental work in plant physiology and molecular biology.
Properties relevant to use:
The succulent leaf anatomy (thick, water‑storing parenchyma) and CAM photosynthetic pathway confer high water‑use efficiency and drought tolerance—traits exploited in low‑maintenance horticulture and in experimental drought‑stress assays. The leaf surface exhibits a thick cuticle that reduces evaporative water loss, an adaptation utilized in horticultural selection for arid climates. Leaf fragments readily form adventitious shoots, facilitating vegetative propagation and tissue‑culture micropropagation. The plant’s low nitrogen requirement further reduces input costs in greenhouse production.
Standards and regulation:
International trade in live succulent plants, including K. laciniata, is governed by national phytosanitary frameworks. In the United States, import is regulated by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant Protection Act; in the European Union, the Plant Passport system ensures compliance with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). These regulations require phytosanitary certificates and inspection to prevent pest introduction.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Commercial production relies almost exclusively on asexual propagation from cuttings and offsets, eliminating the need for wild harvest. Sustainable nursery practices—such as controlled greenhouse cultivation, water recycling, and integrated pest management—reduce environmental impact. Some producers adopt water‑conserving irrigation and solar‑powered greenhouse systems to further lower carbon footprints. Certification programs for ornamental plant producers (e.g., organic or FairWild) further promote responsible sourcing and conservation of wild Crassulaceae.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Kalanchoe gloveri | Cufod. | Webbia 19: 738 (1965) |
| Kalanchoe lentiginosa | Cufod. | Senckenberg. Biol. 39: 120 (1958) |
| Kalanchoe rohlfsii | Engl. | Annuario Reale Ist. Bot. Roma 9: 252 (1904) |
| Kalanchoe petitiaesii | Rich. ex Jacques | J. Soc. Imp. Centr. Hort. 7: 626 (1861) |
| Vereia laciniata | Willd. | Enum. Pl. : 433 (1809) |
| Cotyledon laciniata | L. | Sp. Pl. : 430 (1753) |
| Kalanchoe schweinfurthii | Penz. | Atti Congr. Int. Bot. Genova : 341 (1893) |
| Kalanchoe acutifolia | Haw. | |
| Kalanchoe afzeliana | Britten | Fl. Trop. Afr. [Oliver et al.] 2: 393. 1871 |
| Kalanchoe rosea | C.B.Clarke | J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 25: 21 (1889) |
| Kalanchoe welitschii | Britton |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | christmastree plant |
| Chinese | 大还魂 |
| Chinese | 伽蓝菜 |
| Chinese | 冬红叶 |
| Chinese | 条裂伽蓝菜 |
| Chinese | 桃色弁庆 |
| Chinese | 菊司 |
| Chinese | 假川莲 |
| Chinese | 小灯笼草 |
| Chinese | 裂叶落地生根 |
| Chinese | 伽藍菜 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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East Tropical Africa
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Sudan
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Northern Africa
- Morocco
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South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zimbabwe
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Southern Africa
- Namibia
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Rwanda
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East Tropical Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Arabian Peninsula
- Saudi Arabia
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China
- China Southeast
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Arabian Peninsula
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Northern America click to expand
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Florida
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Southeastern U.S.A.
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Southern America click to expand
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Caribbean
- Dominican Republic
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Caribbean
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000357571 |
| USDA Plants | KALA3 |
| Tropicos | 8900012 |
| INPN | 629985 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:274383-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2335840 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 3943257 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 1435564 |
| Nature Serve | 2.136959 |
| IPNI | 274383-1 |
| iNaturalist | 164331 |
| GBIF | 2985933 |
| EPPO | KANLC |
| EOL | 5548115 |
| USDA GRIN | 21050 |
| Wikipedia | Kalanchoe_laciniata |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroid lactones / Bufanolides and derivatives | |||||
| (3S,5S,8R,9S,10S,13R,14S,17R)-3-[(2S,3S,4S,6S)-3,4-dihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-5,14-dihydroxy-13-methyl-12-oxo-17-(6-oxopyran-3-yl)-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,11,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-10-carbaldehyde | 11994610 | Click to see | 560.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| [(1R,2R,4R,6R,7R,10S,11R,14S,16S,18R,19S)-2,10,14,16-tetrahydroxy-6-methyl-7-(6-oxopyran-3-yl)-3-oxapentacyclo[9.7.1.01,14.04,19.06,10]nonadecan-18-yl] acetate | 21123747 | Click to see CC(=O)OC1CC(CC2(C13C4C(CC2)C5(CCC(C5(CC4OC3O)C)C6=COC(=O)C=C6)O)O)O | 490.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| [(3S,5S,8R,9S,10S,13R,14S,17R)-10-formyl-14-hydroxy-13-methyl-17-(6-oxopyran-3-yl)-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-2,3,4,6,7,8,9,11,12,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-5-yl] acetate | 14135794 | Click to see | 620.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| [10-formyl-14-hydroxy-13-methyl-17-(6-oxopyran-3-yl)-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-2,3,4,6,7,8,9,11,12,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-5-yl] acetate | 14135793 | Click to see | 620.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| [2,10,14,16-Tetrahydroxy-6-methyl-7-(6-oxopyran-3-yl)-3-oxapentacyclo[9.7.1.01,14.04,19.06,10]nonadecan-18-yl] acetate | 14483909 | Click to see | 490.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200710204 https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| 19-Oxo-3-beta,5,14-trihydroxy-5-beta-bufa-20,22-dienolide-3-acetate | 632395 | Click to see | 458.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200710204 https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| 19-Oxo-3-beta,5,14-trihydroxy-5-beta-bufa-20,22-dienolide-3-acetate | 19985 | Click to see | 458.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200710204 |
| 3-(3,4-Dihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl)oxy-5,14-dihydroxy-13-methyl-12-oxo-17-(6-oxopyran-3-yl)-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,11,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-10-carbaldehyde | 73172543 | Click to see | 560.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| 3,5,14-trihydroxy-13-methyl-17-(6-oxopyran-3-yl)-2,3,4,6,7,8,9,11,12,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-10-carbaldehyde | 3659747 | Click to see CC12CCC3C(C1(CCC2C4=COC(=O)C=C4)O)CCC5(C3(CCC(C5)O)C=O)O | 416.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200710204 https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| 5,11-Dihydroxy-9,16-dimethyl-8-(6-oxopyran-3-yl)-15,17,20-trioxahexacyclo[14.3.1.114,18.01,13.04,12.05,9]henicosane-13-carbaldehyde | 4482623 | Click to see CC12CC(C3C(C1(CCC2C4=COC(=O)C=C4)O)CCC56C3(C7CC(C5)OC(O7)(O6)C)C=O)O | 472.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200710204 |
| 5,14-dihydroxy-13-methyl-17-(6-oxopyran-3-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl)oxy-2,3,4,6,7,8,9,11,12,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-10-carbaldehyde | 14179407 | Click to see | 562.60 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200710204 |
| Bryophyllin A | 5488801 | Click to see | 472.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| CID 5462418 | 5462418 | Click to see CC12CC(C3C(C1(CCC2C4=COC(=O)C=C4)O)CCC56C3(C7CC(C5)OC(O7)(O6)C)C=O)O | 472.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/CHIN.200710204 |
| Hellebrigenin | 259577 | Click to see CC12CCC3C(C1(CCC2C4=COC(=O)C=C4)O)CCC5(C3(CCC(C5)O)C=O)O | 416.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| Hellebrigenin 3-acetate | 267436 | Click to see | 458.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| Kalanchoside A | 11994608 | Click to see | 562.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| Kalanchoside B | 11994609 | Click to see | 562.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/OL061873M |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7-hydroxycoumarins | |||||
| Umbelliferone | 5281426 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC2=C1C=CC(=O)O2)O | 162.14 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50065A009 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| Luteolin | 5280445 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O)O | 286.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50065A009 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50065A009 |
| Patuletin | 5281678 | Click to see | 332.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)98096-8 |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50065A009 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides | |||||
| 3,5,7-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-2-[4-[(2S,3S,4R,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]chromen-4-one | 163060690 | Click to see | 462.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50065A009 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 101548886 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)98096-8 |
| Quercitrin | 5280459 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50065A009 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| 5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methoxy-7-[(2S,3S,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-3-[(2S,3S,4S,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 163024738 | Click to see | 608.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50065A009 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 6-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Nepetin | 5317284 | Click to see | 316.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50065A009 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |