Biology:Curio repens
| Curio repens | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Curio |
| Species: | C. repens
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| Binomial name | |
| Curio repens P.V.Heath
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Curio repens, syn. Senecio serpens, is a species of the genus Curio in the Asteraceae family. A succulent endemic to the Western Cape province of South Africa , it is typically found growing from crevices in rocky sandstone slopes. Commonly named blue chalksticks, it is used as an ornamental plant.
Description
It is a semi-trailing, low-growing dwarf shrub that forms a dense mat that reaches only about 20 cm in height and features silvery-blueish, finger-like fleshy leaves.[2] It produces small and round, pompom-like flowers that may superficially resemble a virus. The flowers appear as off-white from distance, but would have yellow and pink tinges on the stamen up-close. Flowering season is usually between spring and autumn. It was first formally described as Cacalia repens by Carl Linnaeus in 1767.[3]
It should be distinguished from Curio talinoides by its shorter, broader and often boat-shaped leaves.[4]
Cultivation
Drought tolerant, the plant is used as a ground cover, border plant or in a rock garden. It is grown in sandy, dry to slightly moist soils in sun or some partial shade. It is easily propagated by cuttings.
There is a hybrid of this and Curio talinoides that is known as 'Trident Blue'.
Gallery
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In a rock garden -
Mass growing -
Close up -
Leaf close up -
Mat formation -
Flower up-close
References
- ↑ "Curio repens (L.) P.V.Heath". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:997629-1. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ↑ "Senecio serpens". African Plants Database. Natural History Museum of Geneva, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève and Tela Botanica. http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/details.php?langue=an&id=98387. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
- ↑ "Curio repens". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://www.ipni.org/n/997629-1.
- ↑ Curio talinoides (DC.) P.V.Heath by PlantZAfrica.com
Wikidata ☰ {{{from}}} entry
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