| Curio repens | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Curio |
| Species: | C. repens |
| Binomial name | |
| Curio repens P.V.Heath | |
| Synonyms | |
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Curio repens (syn. Senecio serpens) is a species of succulent groundcover plant in the genus Curio, in the Asteraceae family. Commonly named blue chalksticks, blue chalk fingers and also snake ragwort, it is frequently used in Mediterranean climate landscaping and as an ornamental plant.
Description
It is a semi-trailing, low-growing dwarf shrub that forms a dense mat that reaches only about 20 cm in height and features silvery-blueish, finger-like fleshy leaves. It produces small and round, pompom-like flowers that may superficially resemble a virus. The flowers appear as off-white from distance, but would have yellow and pink tinges on the stamen up-close. Flowering season is usually between spring and autumn. It was first formally described as Cacalia repens by Carl Linnaeus in 1767.
It should be distinguished from Curio talinoides by its shorter, broader and often boat-shaped leaves.
Cultivation
Drought tolerant, the plant is used as a ground cover, border plant or in a rock garden. It is grown in sandy, dry to slightly moist soils in sun or some partial shade. It is easily propagated by cuttings. Visually-similar to the ice plants of Mesembryanthemum, C. repens is typically found growing in and among rocky crevices and exposed ledges on dry, rubble-strewn sandstone slopes, where drainage is swift and sun exposure and airflow is high.
There is a hybrid of this and Curio talinoides that is known as 'Trident Blue'.
Gallery
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In a rock garden
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Mass growing
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Close up
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Mat formation
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Flower up-close
References
- "Curio repens (L.) P.V.Heath". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- "Curio repens". The University of Arizona. Arizona Board of Regents. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- "Senecio serpens". African Plants Database. Natural History Museum of Geneva, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève and Tela Botanica. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
- "Curio repens". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
- Curio talinoides (DC.) P.V.Heath by PlantZAfrica.com
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Curio repens | |
| Senecio serpens | |
| Cacalia repens | |