Knowing the Difference Between Thousands and Millions

06/02/2020 | Eco Garden Network | Succulents and Cactus

So, plant lovers argue back and forth about if a plant is a Mother of Thousands or a Mother of Millions. My goal is to share some knowledge so you can make your own choice.

Let’s start with a foundation and scientific names. At the simplest level of scientific classification, each plant has a name made up of two parts, genus name and a specific name or epithet.

A true plant fanatic just gasped because there are actually 4. Family/Subfamily/Tribe/Genus. Sometimes too much info is overwhelming.

The genus name of this week’s plant is Kalanchoe. It is a native of Madagascar.

The specific name varies based on the leaf shape. Examples are:

#1 Daigremontiana or Devils Backbone/Alligator/ Mexican Hat

#2 Delagoensis or Chandelier plant

Chandelier or Mother of Millions

#3 Houghtonii a hybrid with V shape leaf from the Daigremontiana plant.

Hybrid Mother of Thousands

#4 Laetivirens or Bryophyllum – Pink Butterflies.

Pink Butterflies

The Mother plants reproduces asexually by generating numerous plantlets on its leaf margins. … However, unlike normal embryogenesis in seeds, leaf-somatic embryogenesis bypasses seed dormancy to form viable plantlets.

So, the best explanation is a Mother of Millions have plantlets on the tips of tubular shapped leaves.

Mother of Thousands have plantlets on side edges of broader leaves.

Special info to note; Keep young children and pets away as the plants do have some toxic properties.

The plants due to quantity of plantlets can be very invasive. Monitor your surrounding pots or just share your babies with friends.

There are lots of varieties, colors. shapes based on geography and sun.