Family: Crassulaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Kalanchoe beharensis, commonly known as velvet leaf, is a striking succulent native to southern Madagascar. It is valued for its large, triangular leaves covered in a dense, velvety fuzz that gives them a soft, gray-green to bronze appearance. This drought-tolerant plant can grow into a small shrub or tree-like form and is often used in ornamental landscaping, xeriscaping, and container gardening. Its unique texture and sculptural form make it especially popular in dry, sunny gardens.

Risks & Threats
In Hawaiʻi, velvet leaf is naturalized on Oʻahu and does possess traits that are cause for concern. Like many succulents, it can reproduce vegetatively from fallen leaves and tolerate harsh, dry conditions, allowing it to persist outside of cultivation. While it is not currently among the most aggressive invasive species, its ability to spread and establish in disturbed or arid environments warrants caution. Careful management and monitoring are recommended to ensure that it does not expand into natural areas or negatively impact native ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability (USDA Zones 9b-11)
  
• History of repeated introductions outside native range
  
• Congeneric weed (K. pinnata is invasive)
  
• Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (including poor, alkaline, sandy, and salty soils)
  
• Tolerates shade (full sun to full shade)
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Reproduces by vegetative fragmentation (fallen leaves root easily)
  
• Propagules likely dispersed unintentionally (via garden waste)
  
• Propagules intentionally dispersed by people (ornamental)
  
• Propagules adapted to wind dispersal (dust-like seeds)
  
• Prolific seed production
  
• Tolerates mutilation (regenerates from broken leaves)

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of naturalization beyond native range
  
• No evidence of being a weed (garden, agricultural, or environmental)
  
• No evidence of allelopathic, parasitic, or toxic properties
  
• Does not create fire hazard (succulent, evergreen)
  
• Not a climber, does not form dense thickets
  
• No evidence of propagules being dispersed by water, birds, other animals, or as a produce contaminant