Donkey Ears
Bryphyllum gastonis-bonnieri
NEMBA: Category 1b
English: Donkey Ears, Life Plant, Beachbells, Donkey Ear Plant, Palm Beachbell
Misapplied or old scientific names: Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri, Kalanchoe adolphi-engleri
Bryophyllum gastonis-bonnieri, also known as the Donkey Ear Plant or Palm Beachbell, is a succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves that resemble a donkey's ear. It is native to Madagascar but has been introduced to tropical areas around the world and in some areas it is proving to be aggressively invasive.
Have you got a better picture?
If you don't mind us using it, please upload it by clicking the Upload button below (you must be logged in to do this)
Origins: North-western Madagascar
Overall Appearance:
Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri is a large, succulent perennial with large, fleshy, triangular-shaped leaves that resemble donkey ears. It can grow up to 1.5 meters tall.
Leaves:
The leaves are the most distinctive feature, large (up to 30 cm long), triangular-shaped, and covered in a powdery white coating. The leaf margins often have small plantlets (bulbils) that easily detach and root, aiding in rapid spread.
Flowers:
Flowers are tubular, reddish-orange, and borne on tall stalks. Flowering occurs in spring and summer.
Fruits:
Small, dry capsules containing numerous tiny seeds.
Seeds:
Numerous, small, and easily dispersed by wind and water.
Soil Type:
Adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including sandy, rocky, and clay soils.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Edibility:
No parts of the plant are typically consumed.
Toxicity:
The plant is toxic to livestock and can cause serious health problems if ingested.
Uses:
Primarily cultivated as an ornamental plant.
Birds Attracted:
May attract some birds for nectar.
Insects Attracted:
May attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Mammals Attracted:
While toxic, some mammals may browse on the plant.
Problem Provinces:
KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape.
Note:Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri is a serious invasive species in South Africa. It forms dense thickets that displace native vegetation, reduce biodiversity, and impact agricultural land. Control measures are often necessary to manage infestations.
Friendly alternatives:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Crassulaceae (little thick (the leaves)) - Order: Saxifragales