Succulent Groundcover ID

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by jorge28, Feb 15, 2013.

  1. jorge28

    jorge28 New Member

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    A creeping evergreen succulent groundcover (pictured: center) to about 6-7 inches high. Slightly fuzzy leaves, with red margins, which deepen in color during the summer months.

    Pictured specimens are rooted cuttings taken from mature plants in a friends' garden.
    Neither of us are entirely sure what it is.

    I have very little knowledge. But perhaps some sort of Crassula..? Kalanchoe perhaps...
     

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  2. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    Looks similar to Kalanchoe tomentosa.

    Welcome to the Forum!
     
  3. jorge28

    jorge28 New Member

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    Thankyou togata57,

    Yes, it does resemble K. tomentosa in some ways - however there appears to be some differences, most notably the leaves themselves being much thinner for example.

    Not ruling out it being a Kalanchoe though...
     
  4. SusanDunlap

    SusanDunlap Active Member

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    I agree - K. tomentosa. Growing conditions can affect the leaf thickness. Look for the stem color and texture online to help verify.
     
  5. jorge28

    jorge28 New Member

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    Finally managed to figure out what it is. By a stroke of luck I saw the exact same plant at a nursery this morning.

    According to the label these hardy groundcovers go by the name of "Plectranthus neochilus" - a mat-forming perennial, aromatic succulent belonging to the Lamiaceae family (Salvia & Mint) Hardy to at least 30 °F and exceptionally drought resistant.
     
  6. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Hmm. Were there several plants with that tag, or might that have been a single mis-placed tag? Look up this name on google. Are you seeing what your plant looks like? For instance, here's a Plectranthus neochilus photo with leaves that have the kind of veining that's usual for Plectranthus:
    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Plectranthus_neochilus,_Pretoria.jpg

    Is your plant fragrant?

    Maybe if we saw a photo of the mature clump in your friend's yard, that ID would be more convincing.
     
  7. jorge28

    jorge28 New Member

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    Hi wcutler,

    There were nearly a dozen - all tagged the same. A quick google search revealed a couple of varieties, many of which resembled my cuttings/and my friends' plant.

    Interestingly, rubbing the leaves between ones' fingers leaves a distinctive odor - a smell you'll either love or hate. Have no idea what they'll be like in bloom though....

    Either way, I'm postive on the ID now.

    I'll try and attach a picture of a mature specimen from my friends' yard for interests' sake.

    Thanks for the reply by the way.
     

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