Kalanchoe beharensis Drake

Common name(s): Felt Bush, Elephants Ear Kalanchoe, Feltbush, Velvet Elephant Ear, Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe, Napoleon's Hat

Family: Crassulaceae
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington
Bark
Bark
Taken by Ken Harrington
Bark_upper
Bark (Upper)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Leaf
Leaves
Taken by Ken Harrington
Leaf
Leaves
Taken by Ken Harrington
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Cacti, Succulents, & Allies Properties
Origin(s)
Madagascar
  • Madagascar: Indigenous
Plant Type
Deciduous Succulent, Evergreen
Deciduous Succulent,
Evergreen
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Arid-Semi / Steppe, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical Wet & Dry / Savanna
Arid-Semi / Steppe,
Temperate Warm,
Mediterranean,
Tropical Wet & Dry / Savanna
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light
Sun - Full,
Shade - Dappled,
Shade - Light
Habitat Range(s)
Desert Vegetation
Desert Vegetation
Habitat Zone(s)
Dry, Dry Valley Slopes, Exposed, Exposed Stony embankments, Garden, Hill Sides, Landscape, Open areas, Rock crevices, Waste Land / Disturbed Sites, Well drained
Dry,
Dry Valley Slopes,
Exposed,
Exposed Stony embankments,
Garden,
Hill Sides,
Landscape,
Open areas,
Rock crevices,
Waste Land / Disturbed Sites,
Well drained
Mature Height
1.5-2m, 2-2.5m, 2.5-3m
1.5-2m,
2-2.5m,
2.5-3m
Mature Width
250-300mm, 1-1.5m, 1.5-2m
250-300mm,
1-1.5m,
1.5-2m
Plant Shape
Bun - Narrow Open
Bun - Narrow Open
Bun - Narrow Open Bun - Narrow Open
Growth Rate
Slow, Moderate
Slow,
Moderate
Life Span
30-50yrs
30-50yrs
Leaf Properties
Leaf Colour (front)
Dull, Glossy, Olive-green, Rust
Dull,
Glossy,
Olive-green,
Rust
Leaf Colour (back)
Dull, Olive-green, Silver
Dull,
Olive-green,
Silver
Leaf Shape(s)
Deltoid
Deltoid
Incurved
Incurved
Deltoid Deltoid,
Incurved Incurved
Leaf Texture (front)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Velutinous
Velutinous
Glabrous Glabrous,
Velutinous Velutinous
Fleshy
Fleshy
Leaf Texture (back)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Glabrous Glabrous
Fleshy
Fleshy
Leaf Length(s)
80-90mm, 90-100mm
80-90mm,
90-100mm
Leaf Width(s)
50-60mm, 60-70mm, 70-80mm, 80-90mm, 90-100mm
50-60mm,
60-70mm,
70-80mm,
80-90mm,
90-100mm
Leaf Arrangement
Opposite & Decussate
Opposite & Decussate
Opposite & Decussate Opposite & Decussate
Leaf Aroma
None
None
Trunk / Stem Properties
Trunk / Stem Upper Colour(s)
White , White-grey
White,
White-grey
Trunk / Stem Base Colour(s)
Brown Light
Brown Light
Inflorescence (Flower) Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Flowering Time (start)
Spring
Spring
Flowering Time (end)
Summer
Summer
Colour(s)
Yellow, Yellow-green, Red-orange
Yellow,
Yellow-green,
Red-orange
Aroma(s)
None
None
Flower Shape(s)
Urceolate
Urceolate
Urceolate Urceolate
Flower Size(s) Width
5-7.5mm
5-7.5mm
Arrangement(s)
Corymb Compound
Corymb Compound
Corymb Compound Corymb Compound
Axillary , Terminal
Axillary,
Terminal
Arrangement Size(s)
500-600mm
500-600mm
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Bees,
Birds,
Butterflies
Root Properties
Type
Fibrous
Fibrous
Tap
Tap
Fibrous Fibrous,
Tap Tap
Soil Properties
pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Moist-Dry
Moist-Dry
Moist Moist,
Moist-Dry Moist-Dry
Poor , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained
Poor,
Shallow,
Deep,
Well Drained
Salinities
Slight
Slight
Slight Slight
Waterlogging Class
W0 – Low tolerance
W0 – Low tolerance
Watering Requirements
WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,
WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Poor
Poor
Bird Attraction
Insect, Nectar
Insect,
Nectar
Butterfly Attraction
Poor
Poor
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Retarding
Moderate
Moderate
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Smog Tolerant
Moderate
Moderate
Landscape Use
Moderate
Moderate
Pests/Diseases
Mealy Bug, Scale, Slugs, Snails
Mealy Bug,
Scale,
Slugs,
Snails
Weed Potential(s)
Kenya
  • Kenya: Naturalised
Tanzania, United Republic of
  • Tanzania: Naturalised
Uganda
  • Uganda: Naturalised
Zambia
  • Zambia: Naturalised
Zimbabwe
  • Zimbabwe: Naturalised

General Notes

The largest of the Kalanchoe's, a tree-like shrub and interesting succulent for the garden with striking, crenulated, silvery-grey, velvety leaves. As a specimen plant it can be quite eye catching.

Some cultivars have been produced                                                                                                                                                                                                                                K. beharensis 'Brown Dwarf' a slow growing dwarf form with golden-bronze or white glabrous to pubescent leaves                                                    K. beharensis 'Fang' a slow growing dwarf form, leaves have teeth on the back