# Donkey Ears (*kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri*)

Donkey Ears are fun plants that have thick, fuzzy leaves shaped like a donkey's ears. They are great for kids to learn about how plants can have interesting shapes and colors!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Donkey Ears thrive in warm, sunny areas, often found in gardens or as houseplants.

![Donkey Ears](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Donkey_Ears_%28Bryophyllum_gastonis-bonnieri%29_3.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Mokkie, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Donkey_Ears_%28Bryophyllum_gastonis-bonnieri%29_3.jpg)

## Appearance

The Donkey Ears has large, paddle-shaped leaves that are grey-green with reddish-brown spots and margins, often covered in a powdery bloom. Its tall flower stalk produces clusters of striking, reddish-orange, bell-shaped flowers that hang downwards, making it visually distinct.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Saxifragales
- **Family:** Crassulaceae
- **Genus:** Kalanchoe

## Interesting facts

- It's named 'Donkey Ears' because of its large, floppy leaves!
- Its beautiful flowers hang upside down like little bells!
- Its huge, paddle-shaped leaves act like giant water tanks!
- This plant grows tiny new baby plants right along its leaf edges!

## Special abilities

- **Water Storer:** Donkey Ears has thick, succulent leaves that can store lots of water, which helps it survive in dry environments.
- **Baby Leaf Maker:** Donkey Ears can grow tiny new plantlets right on its leaf edges, allowing it to easily make more plants.
- **Night Breather:** Donkey Ears can absorb carbon dioxide at night, a special adaptation that helps it save water in hot climates.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-90 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late_winter_to_spring
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from flowers.
- **Pollinates:** Souimanga Sunbird (*Nectarinia souimanga*) — Feeds on nectar from its bright flowers.
- **Parasitizes:** [Oleander Aphid](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oleander-aphid) (*Aphis nerii*) — Feeds on plant sap, weakening the plant.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Donkey Ears?

Compare leaf arrangement, rosette shape, ribs, spines and flowers. Keep in mind that drought and strong sun can shift a plant's color and shape. Succulent Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Donkey Ears?

30-90 cm

### How wide does Donkey Ears spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Donkey Ears?

1-2.5 cm

### When does Donkey Ears bloom?

Late_winter_to_spring

### Is Donkey Ears edible?

No

### Is Donkey Ears toxic?

Mild

### What is Donkey Ears's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [West Lake Underhill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/west-lake-underhill-park) — Florida, US · Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Donkey Ears: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/donkey-ears)