Gardens of the Cross Timbers: The Donkey Ear
Becky Emerson Carlberg
Contributing writer
The Donkey Ear (Velvet Ears, Palm Beachbells, Sprout Leaf Plant, Tree of Life, Good Luck Leaf or Giant Kalanchoe), after setting a record-breaking growth spurt in the greenhouse, is now producing flowers. It wants to go home to Madagascar.
With leaves that resemble, you guessed it, donkey ears, the succulent is one of the 125 species worldwide of Kalanchoes in the Crassulaceae/Stonecrop family (Echeverias and Sedums). Donkey Ear (Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieii) has thick leaves and the ability to store water not only in its ‘ear’ leaves but also stems. The plant produces epicuticular wax, a white powder that covers the leaves, some being 20 inches in length. The wax protects against sunlight and helps the plant conserve water. This plant does night photosynthesis. What? In most plants, photosynthesis occurs during the day. Chloroplasts need sunlight to harness carbon dioxide and water that is