Resurrection plant, Air plant, Never die
Bryophyllum pinnatum

Family: Crassulaceae

What it is like

An evergreen succulent herb or shrub. The stems are 0.3-2 m high. They can be woody at the base. It grows to 1 m high and spreads to 1 m wide. The stems are erect, stout and purplish green. The leaves can be simple or upper leaves have 3-5 leaflets. The leaves are large and fleshy. They have teeth around the edge. They are succulent. The leaves are 5-20 cm long by 3-12 cm wide. Small plants can grow from the edges of the leaves. The flowers hang down in clusters at the ends of branches. The flowers are like tubes and are green with purple tips. They are large and have red and purple stripes. The fruit follicles are 10-14 mm long. There are several seed in each fruit.

There are about 30 Bryophyllum species. It is considered a weed in Australia.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It does best in well drained, well-composted soils. It needs an open sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It needs a temperature above 12°C. It grows to 1,000 m above sea level. It grows in dry sunny places. In XTBG Yunnan. At MARDI.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Angola, Asia, Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Caroline Islands, Central America, China, Congo DR, East Africa, East Timor, Eswatini, Fiji, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tuvalu, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, West Timor, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are sometimes eaten as a vegetable. They are acidic. They are less acidic later in the day and at some times of the year. The leaves are used in curry. The leaves are used to prepare a sauce. The fleshy leaves are mixed with other vegetables. The nectar can be sucked from the flowers.

Leaves are sold in local markets. The nectar is eaten especially by children. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, nectar

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Leaf buds root easily.

Its other names

Local names

Ajambari, Anhelika, Anheliko, Chandelier plant, Cocor bebek, Dupar tenga, Dupor tenga, Ghavpala, Lamalam, Luna, Maikhri lai, Mchu prek, Mgbidingbi, Miracle plant, Miru heu, Pagi, Panphuti, Pategaja, Pategoja, Ranakalli, Te ang, Tenga patta, Thuoc Bong, Truongsanh long-chim

Synonyms

Bryophyllum calycinum Salisb.; Cotyledon pinnata Lam.; Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.;