Kalanchoe luciae

Kalanchoe luciae Raym.-Hamet, Bull. Herb. Boissier, ser. 2, 8: 256. 1908; K. aleuroides G. F. Smith et al., Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae) in Southern Africa: Classification, Biology and Cultivation.

Perennial or multi-annual monocarpic succulent, robust herb, up to 2 m tall (including inflorescence), few to many-leaved, glabrous, greenish-white. Leaves in basal rosettes, opposite decussate, closely inserted, 8-10 cm x 5-8 cm, sessile, erect to erecto-patent, flattened above, slightly convex below, paddle-shaped, round to obovate to oblong, apex round or truncate (rarely emarginate), base narrow, margin entire, greyish-green or bluish- green with margin reddish towards the edge; stem and younger leaves and basal parts of leaves covered with powdery bloom; with ageing of plant, stem elongated with opposite decussate leaves gradually becoming more distantly inserted and reduced towards apex. Inflorescence a slender, erect, terminal or axillary (in upper leaves), 60 cm or more in length, cylindrical to club-shaped thyrse consisting of several dichasia terminating in monochasia. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic, urn-shaped, white, pale greenish-white, sometimes creamish, 4-merous, ca. 1.4 cm long, erect to slanted horizontally; pedicellate, pedicel ca. 1 cm long; all floral parts haphazardly covered by white waxy bloom. Calyx ca. 7 mm long, campanulate, light greenish-white; sepals 4, connate at base; lobes ca. 5 mm long, oblong-lanceolate, acute. Petals 4, connate, corolla ca. 1.4 cm long; tube quadrangular, urceolate, enlarged in middle; lobes 4, white, pale greenish-white or creamish, ca. 4 mm x 2.5 mm, concave, apex slightly recurved. Stamens 8, in 2 whorls, inserted near middle of corolla tube, slightly (1-2 mm) exserted; filaments of outer whorl longer than those of inner whorl, 5 mm and 3.5 mm long respectively; anthers 0.5-1 mm long. Carpels 4, free or slightly connate basally, ca. 1 cm long, ovary attenuating into style; style 2-4 mm long (shorter than ovary); stigma capitate, slightly exserted. Nectar scales 4, present at base of outer face of ovaries, ca. 1.5 mm x 2.5 mm, square to transversely oblong, apex more or less truncate and irregularly dentate.

Follicles 9-10 mm long, surrounded by dark brown corolla tube. Seeds oblong, light brown, 1-1.5 mm long. (Fruits not observed)

Flowering and Fruiting: December to March
Common Names: Northern White Lady, Paddle Plant, Paddle Kalanchoe, Red Pancakes, Desert Cabbage, Flapjack Plant, Flipping Pancakes, Meelplakkie (African)