| Sharp-leaved Crassula | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The small, yellow-ish leaf-blades of Crassula cultrata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Crassulaceae |
| Genus: | Crassula |
| Species: | C. cultrata |
| Binomial name | |
| Crassula cultrata | |
Crassula cultrata (Sharp-leaved Crassula) is a succulent plant native to the southern parts of South Africa (the Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal).
A small, erect, branching shrub (20-80 cm in height) with rounded, yellow-green leaves that have sharp, red-brown, cartilaginous margins. The leaf tip is typically rounded or obtuse.
The succulent leaves are flattened, and ob-lanceolate or knife-shaped ("cultrata"). This shape, and the sharp, cartilaginous edges of its leaves, are distinctive.
In December/January it produces elongated flower stems (12-40 cm), each with several loosely-held clumps of yellowish flowers (one of which is terminal). Each flower has black anthers and 3,5-4,5 mm long, cream coloured petals. The loose arrangement of the flowers is a key diagnostic character of this species.
This species is related to Crassula atropurpurea , Crassula subaphylla , Crassula cotyledonis , Crassula pubescens and Crassula nudicaulis . Crassula rogersii , another similar species that is also found in river valleys, is very much smaller, with leaves that are almost cylindrical.
C.cultrata has flattened leaves, twisted to one side of the stem, with a sharp margin. [1] [2]
It occurs from near Swellendam and Ladismith in the west, throughout the Little Karoo and Overberg regions, and across the arid parts of the Eastern Cape Province.
Its habitat is usually rocky ridges and outcrops in scrub vegetation, often in river valleys (like Crassula rogersii ). [3]
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.
Asparagus asparagoides, commonly known as bridal creeper, bridal-veil creeper, gnarboola, smilax or smilax asparagus, is a herbaceous climbing plant of the family Asparagaceae native to eastern and southern Africa. Sometimes grown as an ornamental plant, it has become a serious environmental weed in Australia and New Zealand.
Crassula multicava is a perennial succulent plant from the family Crassulaceae. It is also known under various common names including the fairy crassula, pitted crassula and London pride.
Crassula tetragona is a succulent plant native to Southern Africa. It is widely distributed from the Orange River boundary of Namaqualand to beyond the Kei River in the Eastern Cape. "Tetragona" comes from the phyllotaxy of the leaves. It is popularly named the "miniature pine tree" among ornamental plant enthusiasts, for its popular use as a "pine tree" in Bonsai.
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.
Crassula capitella, is a perennial succulent plant native to southern Africa.
Suaeda aegyptiaca is a species of succulent plant in the family Amaranthaceae, and salt-tolerant (halophyte) plant that is distributed in eastern North Africa, the Near East and West Asia.
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.
Astroloba bullulata is a small succulent plant of the Astroloba genus, endemic to mountainous areas of the southern Cape, South Africa.
Astroloba foliolosa is a small succulent plant of the genus Astroloba widespread in the arid parts of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
Crassula nudicaulis is a succulent plant native to South Africa, and Lesotho.
Crassula cotyledonis is a succulent plant endemic to the arid Namaqualand and Karoo regions of South Africa.
Crassula brevifolia is a succulent plant native to the arid western edge of South Africa as well as southern Namibia.
Crassula subaphylla is a succulent plant belonging to the family Crassulaceae. It is widespread in the Karoo regions of South Africa and Namibia.
Crassula atropurpurea is a succulent plant, very common and widespread in the southern 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 rubricaulis is a succulent plant native to the coastal mountains of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape of South Africa.
Crassula spathulata is a creeping, succulent ground-cover, indigenous to the Eastern Cape Province and southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where it is found in leaf-litter on rocky ridges, often around the edges of forests.
Crassula pellucida is a creeping, succulent ground-cover, or low-growing, spreading succulent shrub, indigenous to South Africa.
Crassula biplanata is a succulent plant native to rocky ledges and mountainous areas in the southern parts of South Africa.
