Kalanchoe integra

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in East Asia. Within mainland China, its presence is noted in the South-Central and Southeast territories. It can also be found growing in the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Moving toward the islands, the species is distributed throughout the Nansei-shoto islands. Finally, its range extends to the island of Taiwan, completing its regional footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Kalanchoe integra is defined by its adaptation to diverse montane and subtropical environments, where it thrives within a specific altitudinal gradient. This species is typically found across an elevational range spanning from a minimum of 400 m AMSL to a maximum of 1600 m AMSL. Within these elevations, the plant occupies various niches, often favoring rocky outcrops, forest edges, or disturbed habitats where light availability and drainage meet its physiological requirements. Its distribution across these varying heights allows it to interface with a range of microclimates, influencing its growth patterns and reproductive strategies within its native ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Kalanchoe integra is characterized by its existence as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and ecological niche, the plant exhibits a dual life form classification, functioning as both a phanerophyte, with its stem systems elevated above the ground, and a lithophyte, which enables it to thrive and anchor itself within rocky substrates or crevices. This combination of traits allows the species to maintain a long-term presence in its specific habitat, utilizing its perennial nature to survive environmental fluctuations while leveraging its lithophytic adaptations to colonize stony environments.

Life form :

lithophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Kalanchoe integra is characterized by a growth form categorized as both a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure. This species is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, remaining entirely independent in its growth. It is a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively modest size, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Kalanchoe integra is characterized by a highly specialized metabolic adaptation known as Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), which distinguishes its photosynthetic pathway from standard C3 or C4 processes. To optimize water-use efficiency in arid or fluctuating environments, the plant temporally separates carbon fixation from the Calvin cycle. During the nocturnal phase, the plant opens its stomata to minimize transpirational water loss, allowing for the uptake of carbon dioxide which is subsequently converted into organic acids, primarily malate, and stored within large central vacuoles. As daylight occurs, the stomata remain tightly closed to prevent dehydration, and the stored malate is decarboxylated to release a high concentration of CO2 internally. This CO2 is then processed through the standard photosynthetic machinery to produce carbohydrates. This physiological mechanism allows Kalanchoe integra to maintain positive carbon gain while significantly reducing its transpiration rates, making it exceptionally resilient to moisture stress.

Photosynthetic pathway :

CAM

Reproduction

Reproduction in Kalanchoe integra is characterized by a flexible flowering phenology that allows for a prolonged reproductive period throughout much of the year. The plant exhibits a wide flowering window, with the onset of flowering beginning as early as September, though the specific timing remains highly variable depending on environmental conditions. This reproductive cycle continues through the subsequent months, with the flowering period typically reaching its conclusion by November. Because the flowering start and end points are categorized as variable, the plant demonstrates significant adaptability in its seasonal cycles, ensuring a sustained presence of blooms across different climatic shifts.

Flowering time :

Sep

Flowering time :

Nov

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Kalanchoe integra has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Afzelin, CAMPESTEROL, Friedelin, Patuletin, Quercetin 3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside.

Afzelin

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPESTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Friedelin

1. Dr. Duke

Patuletin

1. Dr. Duke

Quercetin 3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside

1. Dr. Duke

STIGMASTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Taraxerol

1. Dr. Duke

glutinol

1. Dr. Duke

kaempferol

1. Dr. Duke

quercetin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Kalanchoe integra has 185 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor, Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Kalanchoe integra has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extracts.

Ethanolic extracts

1. Letters in applied microbiology