Kalanchoe thyrsiflora Harv. is a flowering Kalanchoe species. The species is given the name “thyrsiflora” due to the epithet ‘thyrse’ which means the plants have its flower in a thyrse shape (clustered densely around the flower axis). It is an evergreen, drought-tolerant, succulent of stonecrop family. The upright clumps of leaves that resemble a stack of pancakes or an undersea shell make this plant very distinct from all other Kalanchoe species. It is commonly known as Flapjack Plant, The Paddle Plant, Desert Cabbage, White Lady, Birds Brandy, Ice Sculpture Kalanchoe, Geelplakkie, or Meelplakkie.
Flapjack plants have a unique appearance. The stems and leaves of Flapjack Kalanchoes are usually coated with a white powdery substance known as the “bloom”. This coating protects from intense light and moisture conditions. If the powder rubs off easily, it means you are handling it too much, there is nothing to worry about.