Kalanchoe porphyrocalyx ‘Sunny

Smith, Gideon F. & Shtein, Ronen, 2021, Taxonomic notes on Kalanchoe porphyrocalyx (Crassulaceae subfam. Kalanchooideae) and its horticultural derivatives, Phytotaxa 478 (2), pp. 225-238 : 232-233

Kalanchoe porphyrocalyx ‘Sunny Balloon’

We were unable to determine whether K. porphyrocalyx ‘Sunny Balloon’ had been previously formally established as a cultivar name, and do so here. Although variously attributed to K. blossfeldiana or K. manginii , often as “ K. manginii ‘Wendy Sunny Balloon’” (see for example http://commons.hortipedia.com/wiki/Category: Kalanchoe _manginii_ ’Wendy_Sunny_Balloon’), plants available in the horticultural trade under this name, up to now as a trade designation, show a striking resemblance with material of K. porphyrocalyx , the species, with the exception that the flowers are double, not single ( Figs 6 and 7 ). In all other respects material sold under K. porphyrocalyx ‘Sunny Balloon’ is virtually indistinguishable from K. porphyrocalyx . Even though use of K. ‘Sunny Balloon’ is acceptable, i.e., with reference to the genus name only, it is here proposed that this cultivar, with retention of the cultivar name, is to be associated with the species, as K. porphyrocalyx ‘Sunny Balloon’.

Nomenclature of Kalanchoe porphyrocalyx ‘Sunny Balloon’

Figures

FIGURE 6. Close-up of the large, double flowers Kalanchoe porphyrocalyx ‘Sunny Balloon’. Photograph: Gideon F. Smith.

FIGURE 7. Comparison of the double flowers of Kalanchoe porphyrocalyx ‘Sunny Balloon’ and the regular ones of K. porphyrocalyx var. sambiranensis. Photograph: Gideon F. Smith.