Milky Widow's-Thrill
Kalanchoe laxiflora · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (6 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Milky Widow's-Thrill, scientifically known as Kalanchoe laxiflora, is a striking succulent native to Madagascar. Renowned for its pendulous, bell-shaped flowers and fleshy leaves, this plant is cherished in ornamental gardening. Beyond its beauty, it holds traditional significance in various cultures for its perceived medicinal properties and unique resilience.
- Family
- Crassulaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Leaf
- Common names
- Milky Widow'S-Thrill
- Scientific synonyms
- Kalanchoe Tieghemii · Bryophyllum Crenatum · 1 more
Names
Common Names
- Milky Widow's-Thrill
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Kalanchoe laxifloraSynonyms
- Kalanchoe tieghemii
- Bryophyllum crenatum
- Bryophyllum laxiflorum
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Saxifragales, it falls under the family Crassulaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Kalanchoe.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Saxifragales | WCVP |
| Family | Crassulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Kalanchoe | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across several continents and distinct climatic regions. In Southeastern Europe, it can be found growing within the territories of Italy and specifically on the island of Sicilia. Its distribution extends into Northern Africa, where populations are established in both Algeria and Morocco. Furthermore, the species reaches into South Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Zimbabwe. This wide-reaching presence demonstrates the plant's ability to adapt to various Mediterranean and subtropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| North-Central Pacific | Hawaii | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Leeward Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Kalanchoe laxiflora, is characterized primarily by its succulent leaves, which serve as its most distinctive medicinal and structural feature. These fleshy, thick leaves are designed to store water, allowing the plant to thrive in arid environments, and they often possess a slightly tapered or ovate shape. In traditional herbal practices, the bioactive compounds found within these specialized leaf tissues are frequently the focus of study due to their potential therapeutic properties.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Kalanchoe laxiflora has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Sterols, Triterpenes, polyphenols.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Sterols | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Triterpenes | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Sterols
- BMC complementary and alternative medicine
Triterpenes
- BMC complementary and alternative medicine
polyphenols
- BMC complementary and alternative medicine
Activities
Kalanchoe laxiflora has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihypertensive.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antihypertensive | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| aqueous extract of the leaves | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanolic fraction | Indian journal of pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |