Beauverd’s Widow’s-Thrill: A Lesser-Known Kalanchoe Worth Knowing About
If you’ve stumbled upon the name Beauverd’s widow’s-thrill, you’re likely curious about this intriguingly named plant. With its botanical name Kalanchoe beauverdii, this perennial belongs to the diverse and popular Kalanchoe family, though it’s certainly not as well-known as its flashier cousins.
What Is Beauverd’s Widow’s-Thrill?
Kalanchoe beauverdii is a perennial forb, which simply means it’s a non-woody plant that lives for multiple years. Like other forbs, it lacks the thick, woody stems you’d find on shrubs or trees, instead maintaining softer tissue that dies back seasonally while the root system persists.
Where Does It Come From?
This Kalanchoe species has established itself in Hawaii, where it’s considered a non-native plant that reproduces on its own in the wild. While it’s found its way to the Hawaiian islands, like most Kalanchoe species, it likely originated from Madagascar or other parts of Africa.
Should You Grow It?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky with Beauverd’s widow’s-thrill. While it’s not currently listed as invasive or noxious, there’s limited information available about its specific characteristics, growing requirements, and potential impact on local ecosystems. This makes it challenging to provide definitive growing advice.
If you’re drawn to Kalanchoe plants, you might consider these alternatives:
- Native Hawaiian succulents and drought-tolerant plants
- Well-documented, non-invasive Kalanchoe varieties
- Indigenous plants that support local wildlife and ecosystems
The Mystery Factor
What makes Kalanchoe beauverdii particularly interesting (and challenging to write about!) is how little documented information exists about this specific species. Unlike popular Kalanchoe varieties such as paddle plants or mother of thousands, Beauverd’s widow’s-thrill seems to be a botanical wallflower.
This could mean several things:
- It’s a rare species with limited distribution
- It’s been misidentified or confused with other Kalanchoe species
- It simply hasn’t caught the attention of horticulturists and gardeners
A Word of Caution
Since this plant has established itself in Hawaiian ecosystems as a non-native species, and given the limited information about its behavior and impact, it’s wise to approach it with caution. Many Kalanchoe species can spread readily and some have become problematic in certain regions.
The Bottom Line
Beauverd’s widow’s-thrill remains something of an enigma in the plant world. While its common name certainly sparks curiosity, the lack of readily available information about its growing requirements, appearance, and ecological impact makes it difficult to recommend for home gardens.
If you’re interested in adding unique succulents to your garden, consider focusing on native plants in your area or well-documented, non-invasive alternatives. Not only will you have better success growing them, but you’ll also be supporting local ecosystems and wildlife.
Sometimes the most responsible thing a gardener can do is admire a plant from afar while choosing better-understood alternatives for their own patch of earth.
