| Purple Crassula | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The key defining character of Crassula atropurpurea is its distinctive flowers. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Crassulaceae |
| Genus: | Crassula |
| Species: | C. atropurpurea |
| Binomial name | |
| Crassula atropurpurea (Haw.) D.Dietr. | |
Crassula atropurpurea (Purple Crassula) is a succulent plant, very common and widespread in the southern Karoo regions of South Africa and Namibia.
This species is extremely variable. It is typically a small (up to 60 cm), shrubby perennial, with erect, branching stems.
Its leaves are erect, or only slightly twisted across the stem. The leaves are sessile and packed evenly along the stems. Each leaf is typically linear-obovate (though this varies greatly), and has a slightly waxy surface. During drought or sun exposure, the leaves can develop a purple colour.
Its slender spike-like inflorescence bears pale yellow-white flowers.
The key distinguishing character of this species is its roughly canaliculate dorsal petal appendage. [1]
The type variety is the most widespread and variable in appearance. Key features for identifying it include:
In addition, the stems of this variety are usually erect branches (woody at base, new shoots pubescent). The new leaves are erect, becoming spreading and eventually falling off with age. The leaf shape is typically oblong to oblanceolate (max. 6cm long), flattened with a convex outer/lower surface. They are cuneate at the base, and obtuse at the apex. Around the Langeberg and Swartberg mountains, as far west as Worcester, some forms can have slender, pointed leaves.
This variety occurs from Worcester and Swellendam in the west, as far east as Port Elizabeth, as well as around the Swartberg mountains. Its habitat is usually dry, rocky slopes and outcrops. [2]
A distinctive south-western variety. Key diagnostic features include:
In addition, the leaves are green to yellow-green (becoming reddish in drought or direct sun). The leaf shape is nearly always obovate to orbicular, with obtuse apices.
This variety occurs from Table Mountain in the west, to Montagu in the east, and north into the Bokkeveld mountains. It is very common in the Robertson Karoo. Its habitat is usually more sheltered rocky ledges, on south-facing slopes. It cooccurs with var. muirii ("rubella"), but anomala has much thicker stems, as well as leaves and stems with erect hairs. [3] [4]
Another south-western variety. Key diagnostic features include:
In addition, the stems are erect branches, wiry and slender (2-4 mm). Leaves are grey-green to reddish-brown. In habitat they are distinctively reddish around the leaf-margin, where the hairs are slightly longer (though not in a single row). The leaf shape is obovate, with obtuse apices.
This Karoo variety occurs from Worcester, eastwards to Prince Albert and northwards to the Cedarberg. Its habitat is usually exposed shallow soil on dry, sunny rocky hilltops. [5]
From quartzite gravel slopes and dunes in the far north, near Garies. [6]
From Karoo slopes of sandstone/quartzite rocks, from the Anysberg and north of the Witteberge mountains, as far west as the Cedarberg mountains. [7]
From arid sheltered rocky crevices across the Namaqualand. [8]
C. atropurpurea is closely related to Crassula subaphylla , Crassula cultrata , Crassula cotyledonis , Crassula pubescens and Crassula nudicaulis . Crassula subaphylla is distinguished by its scrambling habit, and its narrower leaves with swollen bases. [9]
C. atropurpurea is very common and widely distributed in rocky areas across the western half of southern Africa.
It occurs from southern Namibia in the north, through the Namaqualand and the western Karoo regions of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It is common in the Little Karoo, between rocks and under bushes, from Worcester in the west, to as far east as Oudtshoorn. [10]
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to Crassula atropurpurea . |
 | Wikispecies has information related to Crassula atropurpurea . |
Crassula is a genus of succulent plants containing about 200 accepted species, including the popular jade plant. They are members of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) and are native to many parts of the globe, but cultivated varieties originate almost exclusively from species from the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
Aeonium arboreum, the tree aeonium, tree houseleek, or Irish rose, is a succulent, subtropical subshrub in the flowering plant family Crassulaceae.
Acanthomintha duttonii is a species of annual plant endemic to San Mateo County, California in the family Lamiaceae. It is commonly called San Mateo thornmint and is found growing on serpentine soils near the Crystal Springs Reservoir in a six-mile (10 km) long strip on the east side of Montara Mountain at elevations of approximately 150 to 300 meters.
Cotyledon orbiculata, commonly known as pig's ear or round-leafed navel-wort, is a South African succulent plant belonging to the genus Cotyledon.
Crassula muscosa, synonyms Crassula lycopodioides and Crassula pseudolycopodioides, is a succulent plant native to South Africa and Namibia, belonging to the family of Crassulaceae and to the genus Crassula. It is a houseplant grown worldwide and commonly known as rattail crassula, watch chain, lizard's tail, zipper plant and princess pines.
Echeveria peacockii, also known as Echeveria desmetiana in Europe, is in the family Crassulaceae. It is very distinct from all other species, except for Echeveria subsessilis. L. de Smet was the first grower of this plant.
Crassula ovata, commonly known as jade plant, lucky plant, money plant or money tree, is a succulent plant with small pink or white flowers that is native to the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, and Mozambique; it is common as a houseplant worldwide. Much of its popularity stems from the low levels of care needed; the jade plant requires little water and can survive in most indoor conditions. It is sometimes referred to as the money tree; however, Pachira aquatica also has this nickname.
Crassula nudicaulis is a succulent plant native to South Africa, and Lesotho.
Crassula perforata is a succulent plant native to the Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
Crassula cotyledonis is a succulent plant endemic to the arid Namaqualand and Karoo regions of South Africa.
Hypericum undulatum, the wavy St Johns Wort, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant native to western Europe and northern Africa. The specific name undulatum is Latin, meaning "wavy" or "undulated", referring, just as the common name, to the wavy leaf margins of the herb. The plant has a diploid number of 16 or 32.
Crassula cultrata is a succulent plant native to the southern parts of South Africa.
Crassula subaphylla is a succulent plant, widespread in the Karoo regions of South Africa and Namibia.
Crassula pubescens is a succulent plant, common and widespread in the southern Karoo regions of South Africa.
Crassula biplanata is a succulent plant native to rocky ledges and mountainous areas in the southern parts of South Africa.
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Salix dibapha is a shrub from the genus of willow (Salix) with mostly 4 to 6 centimeters long leaf blades. The natural range of the species is in China.
Salix eriostachya is a species from the genus of willows (Salix) and grows as a shrub. The leaf blades are 4 to 11 centimeters long. The natural range of the species is in India, Nepal, and China.
Salix ernestii is a species in the genus of willow (Salix) and grows as a shrub. The leaf blades are about 11 centimeters long. The natural range of the species is in China.