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Cacti & Succulents

Kalanchoe luciae variegata

bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI

12 years ago

Early this summer I was given this cutting and told it was K luciae variegata. After some of my own research, I now question the correct ID. I wonder if it could be K. thyrsiflora because the leaf margins are not undulated as I would expect for K. luciae. What is your opinion?

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Comments (7)

paracelsus
12 years ago
Most of the plants sold in the U.S. as Kalanchoe thyrsiflora are in actuality, K. luciae. This error must go back decades for the mistake to be so common. The proof is in the flower color, white for luciae, yellow for thyrsiflora. Leaf color and shape are influenced by season, size, and conditions. Flower color is the real tell.

Now, your clone is a rare variegate (barely visible in this young plant), so it may actually be K. thyrsiflora, not luciae, but there is no way to be certain except for flower color. Assume the original ID is correct unless or until you have compelling reason to doubt it.

Brad
postpunkgirl
12 years ago
WOW! What gorgeous coloring! Good luck with this beauty!
~Sara
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wantonamara Z8 CenTex
12 years ago
I am betting it is the varigate luciai because the color goes so pink. Usually, in my experience the Regular K luciae has more of a brick side of red and nothe the fuschia notes. And there are some variegation in the leaf margins. I never saw undulation in my white blooming K. luciae. I think some of the variegated lucia have a bit of swooping in their form. I think it is more a feature of that species and not in all of them. I could be wrong here.
pennyhal
12 years ago
I had this question a while back as my plant had a tag that said "Kalanchoe thyrsiflora." Someone posted the link below and after reading it and looking at many photos of both plants on websites, I think it is really a varigate luciai too. I'm waiting for mine to flower.

Here is a link that might be useful: A useful Kalanchoe link
bikerdoc5968 Z6 SE MI
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks to all for this wonderful education. The article link from Penny is especially interesting.
ladylotus
12 years ago
Biker...your K. luciae is gorgeous. Your photos is wonderful making it look like the plant is portraying a sailers sunset. Beautiful!
paul_
12 years ago
Wow that really colored up great for you, Howard!

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