Biology:Curio repens

Curio repens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Curio
Species:	C. repens
Binomial name
	Curio repens; P.V.Heath
Synonyms
	Senecio succulentus Notonia glauca ; Cacalia glauca Salisb. ; L. S.Moore ; Senecio repens Kleinia repens ; (L.) H.Jacobsen Sch.Bip. ; Cacalia repens Haw. ; G.D.Rowley Senecio serpens ;

Short description: Species of flowering plant

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'.