Bryophyllum daigremontianum

Common Name: devil's backbone

Family: Crassulaceae

Common Synonyms: Kalanchoe daigremontiana

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 to 11

Growth Habit: Forb/herb

Origin: Madagascar

FISC Category: -

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: Earliest Florida herbarium specimen from 1934

IFAS Assessment:

• North: OK
• Central: OK
• South: OK

Description

A perennial succulent up to 1m tall with opposite or whorled fleshy oblong-lanceolate leaves up to 20cm long. Leaves are green above and blotched with purple underneath. Leaf edges produce spoon-shaped bulbs which bear plantlets. The plant may also form lateral roots above the ground surface. Has umbrella-shaped terminal inflorescence of small bell-shaped pink flowers.

Habitat

Can grow dense thickets in dry and arid environments from roadsides to forest understories.

Comments

Species difficult to control due to vegetative plantlets produced.

Control Methods

• Manual: Mechanical: Hand pull. Follow-up hand removal of leaves is necessary to prevent leaves from producing new plants. [IFAS, control for K. pinnata]
• Chemical: Foliar (5% glyphosate). [IFAS, treatment for K. pinnata]
• Biological: NA

Control Notes

Often found along edges of natural areas, generally as a result of discarded landscape material.

References

Invasive Species Compendium (http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/115049)