Pussy Ears

Pussy Ears Overview

The genus Cyanotis is colloquially known as Pussy Ears after the dense covering of soft white hairs on the leaves, this genus contains around 50 herbaceous perennials with some annual species. These perennial species are geophytes, which are characterised by the production of an underground food storage organ such as a bulb, corm, rhizome or tuber. These plants produce succulent, linear foliage which lack stems, these are arranged spirally or in a form known as distichous. This is where leaves are produced in 2 vertical columns on opposite sides of a stem, a common growth habit for bulbous species. Flowers are photosensitive and only tend to open for a few hours in the morning. They are small and purple, blue or pink, with 3 spreading, triangular petals which are united at the base. Fluffy, feathery stamens coloured white or the same shade as the petals bear vibrant yellow anthers in the centre of the flowers. Easily mistaken with plants in the genus Tradescantia.

How to propagate Pussy Ears

Cuttings

Seed

Special features of Pussy Ears

Attractive leaves

Attractive flowers

Pot plant

Other uses of Pussy Ears

Grown for their foliage.