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,[2] it is frequently used in Mediterranean climate landscaping and as an ornamental plant.
| 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
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| Binomial name | |
| Curio repens P.V.Heath
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editIt 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.[3] 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.[4]
It should be distinguished from Curio talinoides by its shorter, broader and often boat-shaped leaves.[5]
Cultivation
editDrought 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 -
Mass growing -
Close up -
Mat formation -
Flower up-close
References
edit- ^ "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