Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers.
Vernacular name: Miracle leaf, Air plant, Patharchatta (Hindi: पत्थरचट्टा)
Species Name: Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers
Family: Crassulaceae
Habit: Erect succulent perennial herb
Stem: Simple, stout, 30-100 cm tall, fleshy, reddish.
Leaf: Opposite, simple or pinnate, ovate-oblong 7-15 cm long, crenate margins bearing plantlets (filial buds).
Flowering: October–December
Flowers: Terminal panicles 30-90 cm long (compound dichasial cyme inflorescence – branched scorpioid cymes); drooping bell-shaped, greenish-purple, 2-3 cm long, 4-parted corolla.
Fruit: Trilocular follicle, many reniform seeds.
Uses:
- Fresh leaves of plants are crushed and paste and juice of those are applied externally on the boils, wounds, minor burns, insect bites and ulcers as it helps in reducing swelling and promote healing.
- In traditional and some folk medicines, juice of crushed leaves are also used to manage bladder infections and urolithiasis (kidney stones).
- Poultices of plant are mixed with oil and is used for antipyretic and analgesic properties.
- Leaf extracts are used in folk remedies to manage asthma, cold, cough, diarrhea and dysentery.
- It is an indoor ornamental of low maintenance.
- It is known as “Stone breaker” in Ayurveda.
- It is also used in tribal remedy for healing fractures in Rajasthan.
