Adorable houseplant is a relative of the hot dog cactus.
Earlier this month, we were charmed by photos of a potted plant with sprouts that look like cute little bunnies flashing victory signs. But the plant kingdom isn’t done imitating the animal one, as Japanese Twitter is now abuzz with appreciation for the Senecio peregrinus.
Senecio peregrinus is a succulent. For those of you who can’t hear the word “succulent” without mentally tacking on “roast chicken,” in botanical terms it means that Senecio peregrinus belongs to the category of plants that store liquid within themselves, giving certain parts of their form an enlarged or fleshy quality.
Cacti, for the most part, are succulents, but the Senecio genus is actually part of the daisy family. What’s more, whereas cacti are intimidatingly prickly, Senecio peregrinus is invitingly adorable, because it looks like a pod of tiny leaping dolphins!
めっちゃイルカ!!! pic.twitter.com/uugHKVwumY
— たまご (@kao77neko) March 24, 2017
As a matter of fact, Senecio peregrinus looks so much like the beloved sea mammals that an alternate name for the plant in Japan is “dolphin necklace,” as pointed out by Twitter user @kao77neko.
▼ The resemblance holds up no matter which angle you look at them from.
https://twitter.com/kao77neko/status/845508780980822020裏から見てもめっちゃイルカ!癒される… pic.twitter.com/9jgMaueZwR
— たまご (@kao77neko) March 24, 2017
As explained by fellow Senecio peregrinus fan and Twitter user @imohukuro1, the plant is actually a cross between the Senecio articulates and Senecio rowleyanus plants, which are respectively also known as the “hot dog cactus” and “string-of-pearls” for their distinctive shapes.
▼ It’s just like we remember from math class: hot dogs plus pearls equals dolphins (we may not have passed the final exam).
https://twitter.com/imohukuro1/status/836028210940792832Online reactions have included:
Totally makes you do a double-take!
What is this cuteness?
This…is wonderful.
So cute! I want one! Iyasareru!
And so the dolphin necklace gets to bask in Japan’s kawaii spotlight, because even if cuteness doesn’t grow on trees in the country, it apparently grows in pots.
Sources: Twitter/@kao77neko, Togetter

We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
The beautiful, awesome cosplayers of Tokyo’s OTHER Halloween hot spot: Ikebukuro
Japanese idol creates kawaii Gunpla, the world’s cutest Gundam models【Photos】
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
The beautiful, awesome cosplayers of Tokyo’s OTHER Halloween hot spot: Ikebukuro
Japanese idol creates kawaii Gunpla, the world’s cutest Gundam models【Photos】
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
We attach chemical butt-warmers to our crotches but really should know better
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Which Japanese conveyer belt sushi chain has the tastiest sea snail, if any?【Taste test】
This is Japan’s, and the world’s, first capsule hotel, and you can still stay there
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
Leave a Reply