The feathery , used for years in Chinese natural medicine, is an interesting medicinal plant, perfectly suited for home growing in a pot.Medicinal properties of the Featherfishand its beneficial effect on the human body are appreciated all over the world. See whatuse of Featherfishcan be in your case and what it looks like at homegrowing FeatherfishHere is a proven way to grow this wonderful plant yourself!
Featherfish - Kalanchoe Daigremontiana
Featherfish - how to recognize it? Beware of mistakes!
Pinaceae(Kalanchoe Daigremontiana) is also referred to as: springy grumpy, calyx colic or pinnate. This perennial plant is native to Madagascar. Its stem is woody, round and grows up to 100 cm in height. Long (10-15 cm), triangular, fleshy, serrated leaves alternate on a single thin trunk. The leaves are green or gray-green, with black spots on the underside. The sharply toothed edges of the leaves are fringed with a thin red border. This viviparous plant blooms with bell-shaped inflorescences erected on a long stem.
Good to knowThe Pinnata (Kalanchoe Daigremontiana) is very often confused (especially in internet sources) with two other similar species of Kalanchoe - Kalanchoe Pinnata, which is also a medicinal plant but with a slightly different use and with the narrow-leaved live worm (Kalanchoe tubiflora), which is a poisonous plant and has no medicinal uses.
How to distinguish the feathery from Kalanchoe Pinnata?The feathery has single leaves, while the Kalanchoe Pinnata - complex pinnata, composed of 3-7 individual leaves. The individual leaves of the Kalanchoe Pinnata are elliptical, blunt-tipped and notched, and are lighter in color than those of the feathery. The shape resembles Blossfeld's Kalanchoe leaves - a popular houseplant with characteristic, brightly colored flowers.
The stem of Kalanchoe Pinnata,in contrast to the feathered livebear , is quadrangular in cross-section. Another difference is the propagules, which in both species develop at the edges of the leaves, but in Kalanchoe Pinnata they have an elongated stem along which the leaves are arranged.
On the other hand,feathery from the narrow-leaved rye-grass (Kalanchoe tubiflora) differs in the appearance of the leavesIn the narrow-leaved rye, they are narrow and tubular. This poisonous houseplant can only be grown for ornamental purposes.It must not be consumed or used as an ingredient in cosmetics.
From the left: feathery
Cirrus - use, healing properties
"The feathery is usedas an ornamental and medicinal plant. In Poland, its popularity is only growing, especially due to thehealing properties of the live-bearing plantIt is described in the literature as a home first aid kit. It is rich in vitamin C as well as maro- and microelements. "
The feathery hasregenerating, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, bactericidal and fungicidal properties. Currently, it has become a source of compounds with anti-cancer properties and treating allergic diseases.
Medicinal uses are the leaves of viviparas and the squeezed juice They are used externally and internally in the form of leaf compresses, fresh juice and juice preserved with alcohol. In herbal stores you can buy ready-made products containingfeathery extract , such as creams, ointments, gels and lotions, often enriched with additional nutrients.
In natural medicine,feathery is used to treatskin diseases, due to its special ability to accelerate wound healing, cleanse of pus and dead tissue. Heals warts, bedsores, acne, inflammation, impetigo and mycoses. Supports the treatment of angina, runny nose and conjunctivitis. In addition, it stabilizes blood sugar levels, fights heartburn, and helps with headaches and rheumatic pains. In dentistry, it is effective in periodontitis and gum hypersensitivity, it eliminates unpleasant smell from the mouth (appearing despite well-groomed teeth). It is also recommended for eliminating unpleasant foot odor and soothes tired legs.
Note!Products from feathery should not be used when the blood potassium level is high.
Cirrus - potted cultivation
The Pinaceaebelongs to the group of plants called succulents. It perfectly copes with long periods of drought - it can survive even 1 month without watering. Like other Kalanchoe species, the Featherfish stores water in their leaves. Not only does it endure long water interruptions, it even requires limited watering. It is enough to water it once a week. At the bottom of the pot, we place a 2 cm drainage layer to prevent water from remaining in the vicinity of the roots, causing them to rot. The pot should also have a drainage hole.
The feathery needs alight, well-drained substrate. A mixture of universal soil for flowers with the addition of peat and perlite (proportion 1: 1: 1) or a special substrate for cacti available in flower shops will be suitable.
The living area of the living plantshould be bright, but not in direct sunlight. The leaves turn pale under the influence of too strong sunlight. The temperature of the cultivation should be between 16 - 24 ° C.
In winter, the feathered livebird goes dormant . During this period, it should be placed on the southern windowsill at a temperature of 10-15 ° C and the soil in the pot should be kept completely dry. At higher temperature (above 15 ° C) water once a month.
Note!The feathery should not be fed with mineral fertilizers, especially when grown for medicinal purposes.
Replanting the featheryis done when needed in early spring. When transplanting, do not remove any old soil clumps from between the roots.
A tallstem of a livebear requires propping up , especially when it is over 40 cm tall. Then it often tilts under the weight of its own leaves.However, the grown plants do not look nice anymore and they are rather thrown away after about 1.5 years, replaced with new plants grown from the propagules.
The feathered plantain is a very interesting plantwith an unusual method of reproduction . Young plants, the so-called propagules. They have the form of a miniature rosette of 4 leaves, with a shortened stem, from which 3-4 white roots grow. When the plantlets mature, they fall off the leaves and, landing on the substrate, they take root very quickly. Up to 25 young plants can appear on one leaf.
Good to know!Viviparas are very expansive plants. A single plant can produce several dozen offspring plants at a time. At home, it is necessary to systematically remove the emerging propagules from the leaves to prevent them from spreading to neighboring pots with other plants.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
