Question

In which of the following, the plants can be vegetatively propagated by leaf pieces
(a)Bryophyllum and Kalanchoe
(b)Chrysanthemum and Agave
(c)Agave and Kalanchoe
(d)Asparagus and Bryophyllum

Answer 1

Hint: The leaf of these plants is a combination of leaf and stem and is called phylloclades. The leaves appear to be fleshy, curved, and mostly it is reddish.

Complete answer:
Bryophyllum and Kalanchoe plants can be vegetatively propagated by leaf pieces.
Bryophyllum (Greek word meaning bryo = sprout, phylum = leaf) is a plant species that belongs to the family Crassulaceae. Nowadays, Crassulaceae is included in the Kalanchoe genus. However, Kalanchoe is also considered to be a separate genus. Bryophyllum is naturalized in many parts of the tropical and subtropical areas. It is cultivated for its attractiveness. Bryophyllum is also called the air plant/ miracle leaf. It reproduces asexually, specifically, via vegetative propagation of leaves. The Bryophyllum has broad leaves and has notched at the leaf margin. These are the places from which the buds/notches will arise.
-The buds are called epiphyllous buds which can form into new plant shoots, small leaves, and adventitious roots. Newly grown plants can then cut off from the leaves and later it grows into a mature plant after it reaches the soil.
So, the correct answer is, ‘Bryophyllum and Kalanchoe’.

Note: Bufadienolide, phenanthrene, triterpenes, flavones, phenolic acids, caffeic acid, steroids, etc are some of the phytochemical constituents of Bryophyllum/ Kalanchoe Pinnata. It was reported that two calves fed with Kalanchoe Pinnata died due to ataxia and cardiac arrhythmia. Later it was found that Bufadienolide and phenanthrene are toxins.