Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks) after I brought it home on 10-11-12, #121-18.
Blue Chalksticks, Blue Finger, Blue Stick, ETC.
Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae
Synonyms of Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae (3) (Updated on 11-30-23 from Plants of the World Online): Kleinia mandraliscae Tineo, Senecio mandraliscae (Tineo) H.Jacobsen, Senecio talinoides subsp. mandraliscae (Tineo) G.D.Rowley
Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae (Tineo) P.V.Heath is the accepted scientific name for this variety of Curio talinoides. The species was named and described as such by Paul V. Heath in Calyx in 1999 along with several infraspecific names. It was first named and described as Kleinia mandraliscae by Vincenzo Tineo in Annali di Agricoltura Siciliana in 1855.
The genus, Curio P.V.Heath, was named and described by Mr. Heath in Calyx in 1997.
As of 11-30-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online by Kew lists 17 species in the Curio genus. It is a member of the plant family Asteraceae with 1,702 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO. The number of genera in the family fluctuates quite often.
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Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks) on 2-17-13, #139-62.
I brought this plant home from Lowe’s on October 11, 2012. in Greenville, Mississippi while living at the mansion in Leland. The label said Senecio mandraliscae and said the common name was Blue Chalksticks. It was on the discount rack so I thought I would give it a try.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Family: Asteraceae (Compositae).
Origin: South Africa.
Zones: USDA Zones 10a-11 (30 to 40° F).
Size: 12-18” tall.
Light: Sun to part shade.
Soil: Well-draining. Quality potting soil amended with pumice (50/50) or additional pumice and chicken grit (2-1-1).
Water: Average during spring through autumn but fairly dry during the winter.
Leaves of the Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks) on 2-17-13, #139-63.
According to Wikipedia, the Senecio is a genus of ragworts and groundsels. It says Kleinia is closely related to Senecio but is distinguished primarily by having succulent stems and/or leaves. Ummm… This plant definitely has succulent leaves and stems.
I only had this plant from October 11, 2012, through the end of February 2013. I sold the mansion and moved back to the family farm in mid-Missouri and had to give up most of my plants. I gave this Blue Chalksticks to a good friend and fellow plant collector when I left. I have had issues growing a few species Senecio, or whatever you choose to call them, so I will wait until I have more adequate conditions before trying any again.
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The Belmont Rooster 