Kalanchoe, Adanson (1763: 248), Adanson, 1763

Smith, Gideon F., 2024, An alternative subgeneric classification of Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae subfam. Cotyledonoideae) globally: a nomenclatural and taxonomic review, with a new status for K. subg. Pubescentes, Phytotaxa 665 (3), pp. 201-220 : 214

Conclusion

In conclusion, an identification key to the five subgenera of Kalanchoe and K. sect. Pubescentes is presented. As far as possible, characters that can be easily observed with the naked eye are used in the key. Cryptic characters, such as chromosome number, are therefore not reflected in the key.

1. Plants distinctly to weakly woody, often large-growing, shrubby, sometimes arborescent................................ K. subg. Calophygia

1’. Plants herbaceous, generally low-growing to medium-sized, shrubs or shrublets, never arborescent..............................................2

2. Seeds winged at both ends; calyx not adpressed to corolla tube ................................................................................. K. subg. Alatae

2’. Seeds not winged; calyx generally clasping corolla tube ...................................................................................................................3

3. Inflorescences flori-bulbiliferous, especially post-flowering .............................................................................................................4

3’. Inflorescences not flori-bulbiliferous .................................................................................................................................................5

4. Calyx flimsy, often elongated, sometimes partly obscuring corolla tube, often balloon-like inflated; corolla generally not veined; sepals often fused for> ½ of their lengths; plants sometimes brittle-shrubby or scrambling .......................... K. subg. Bryophyllum

4’. Calyx not flimsy, short, never obscuring corolla tube, not balloon-like inflated; corolla often veined; sepals fused for ± ⅓ to ½ of their lengths; plants sub-shrubby, never scrambling ........................................................................................... K. sect. Pubescentes

5. Stems often robust or at least rigid; plants glabrous or sparsely or densely tomentose or white-waxy-pruinose ................................ .............................................................................................................................................................................. K. subg. Kalanchoe

5’. Stems thin, wiry, flexuose; plants glabrous to pubescent, never white-waxy-pruinose ........................................ K. subg. Kitchingia