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

Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japan’s Mister Donut Japan tries its hand at Taiwanese-style street food donuts
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japan’s Mister Donut Japan tries its hand at Taiwanese-style street food donuts
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Bandai cancels gacha/blind-buy system for anime cosmetics, will let fans choose what they buy
Only five branches of Japan’s beef bowl giant Matsuya serve milk shakes, but how do they taste?
Live-action Ghibli Princess Mononoke stage play tickets are now on sale
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Bandai cancels gacha/blind-buy system for anime cosmetics, will let fans choose what they buy
Only five branches of Japan’s beef bowl giant Matsuya serve milk shakes, but how do they taste?
Live-action Ghibli Princess Mononoke stage play tickets are now on sale
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Police in Japan summoned to deal with bank intruder…who is also a deer[Video]
War in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production
Cultural Affairs Commissioner thinks some Japanese music sucks, angers many
Death Spray from Japan causes buzz online for powerful ability to cut ties with bad energy
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
New Legend of Zelda Boss is a canned coffee, gives you a chance at awesome jacket loot【Pics】
Nendroid Face Maker lets you custom design faces for Japan’s most popular anime figure line