Crassula perfoliata

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Crassula perfoliata
Crassula perfoliata var. falcata-IMG 0687.JPG
C. perfoliata var. falcata
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Crassula
Species:
C. perfoliata
Binomial name
Crassula perfoliata
Synonyms
List
    • Rochea perfoliata var. alba(Haw.) Sweet
    • Rochea perfoliata(Linné) DC.
    • Rochea falcata var. acuminata Eckl. & Zeyh.
    • Larochea perfoliata var. alba Haw.
    • Larochea perfoliata(Linné) Haw.
    • Crassula perfoliata var. albiflora Harv.
    • Crassula pallidaBak.

Crassula perfoliata is the type species of the genus Crassula , in the succulent/flowering plant family Crassulaceae, where it is placed in the subfamily Crassuloideae. Formally described by Linnaeus in 1753 as one of 10 species of Crassula, [1] the plant is endemic to Southern Africa, where it may be found in Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. [2]

Contents

Crassula perfoliata var. falcata, known as the airplane plant or airplane propellers, is arguably the best-known in cultivation; this popular variety has gained the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit. [3]

Description

Leaf arrangement Crassulaceae Crassula falcata 1.jpg
Leaf arrangement

Growing to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall by about as broad, this succulent, evergreen subshrub is known for its greyish-teal, sickle-shaped, thick foliage up to 90 x 28 mm, arranged in opposite rows, often with red markings, which emerges in a criss-cross or rosette formation, on an ever-lengthening, compact stem which may produce aerial roots and thus further spread the plant. The surface of the leaves is covered with dwarf, rounded papillae and the leaf margins are covered with very small teeth. [4]

The Latin specific epithet perfoliata means "with the leaves surrounding the stem". [5]

Inflorescences

It has inflorescences of brilliant profusions of scarlet blossoms in the summer, unlike many other Crassula species which are winter-blooming. The flowers are densely arranged in a rounded inflorescence on an long peduncle up to 100 mm high. The bright red or pink color of the tubular flowers can also turn to almost white, they can be up to 7 mm long. The seeds are rather small. [4]

Distribution

It grows mainly on drier, partially exposed, lower slopes and canyon walls (for sufficient root drainage and aeration) from the Groot Winterhoek range of Western Cape to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and Umtata (Mthatha) in the Eastern Cape. It is found on rocky outcrops, in meadows and on inaccessible cliffs, and in river valleys where it is well protected. It is confined to outcrops of quartzite sandstone (rarely shale), from the Groot Winterhoek and Cape Fold Belt, south of Umtata to the northeast in South Africa. [4]

Cultivation

In a container Crassula perfoliata minor HabitusLeavesFlowers BotGardBln0806.jpg
In a container

It does not tolerate freezing temperatures, thus in temperate zones, it must be grown under glass in a greenhouse during the coldest seasons, or brought indoors and kept in a very sunny southern or western window, lest they become distended and begin reaching for the sunlight, as is typical of many succulents grown indoors.

When repotting Crassula, the plants should be, preferably, potted in as loose and aerated of a substrate as can be provided. Coconut husk or fiber, potting soil, commercial orchid or cacti mixes, or organic compost are all acceptable as a base substrate, adding a small amount of earthworm castings (vermicompost) as a nutrition source; Crassula, like many succulents, are not heavy feeders and do not require intense or regular fertilisation—though it will not harm them, provided it is infrequent (monthly basis during growing season) and well-diluted. Granulated or pelleted timed-release fertilisers are additionally beneficial, only being released when the soil is wet, and thus may last for between three and six months.

However, regardless of soil composition, water must flow freely from the substrate so as not to risk root rot. Substrates for succulent species, such as Crassula, should be amended with inert (inorganic) materials to add aeration, such as perlite, pumice, gravel, decomposed granite, or sand, or a mixture. It is also susceptible to damage from excessive sun exposure, which may show as scarring, burning or chlorotic or yellowing foliage. [4]

Varieties

Four varieties are recognized: [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Crassula</i> Genus of plants

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.

<i>Aloe vera</i> Species of plant

Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. It is widely distributed, and is considered an invasive species in many world regions.

<i>Crassula tetragona</i> Species of succulent

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 colorata, the dense pigmyweed or dense stonecrop, is an annual plant in the family Crassulaceae. The species is endemic to Australia, occurring in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.

<i>Crassula perfoliata <span style="font-style:normal;">var.</span> falcata</i> Species of plants

Crassula perfoliata var. falcata, known by the common names airplane plant and propeller plant, is a succulent plant endemic to South Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope.

<i>Aloe perfoliata</i> Species of succulent

Aloe perfoliata, the rubble aloe or mitre aloe, is a hardy creeping aloe, found in rocky, mountainous areas throughout the Western Cape, South Africa.

<i>Euphorbia caput-medusae</i> Species of flowering plant in the spurge family Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia caput-medusae is a plant of the genus Euphorbia that occurs in and around Cape Town, South Africa.

<i>Crassula muscosa</i> Species of succulent

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.

<i>Crassula capitella</i> Species of succulent

Crassula capitella, is a perennial succulent plant native to southern Africa.

<i>Haworthiopsis attenuata</i> Species of flowering plant

Haworthiopsis attenuata, formerly Haworthia attenuata, commonly known as zebra haworthia, is a small species of succulent plant from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. As an ornamental, it is one of the most commonly cultivated of the Haworthiopsis species.

<i>Crassula ovata</i> Species of succulent

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.

<i>Crassula nudicaulis</i> Species of succulent

Crassula nudicaulis is a succulent plant native to South Africa, and Lesotho.

<i>Gasteria bicolor</i> Species of succulent

Gasteria bicolor is a species of succulent flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae, native to the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aloeae</span> Tribe of succulent plants

Aloeae is a tribe of succulent plants in the subfamily Asphodeloideae of the family Asphodelaceae, consisting of the aloes and their close relatives. The taxon may also be treated as the subfamily Alooideae by those botanists who retain the narrower circumscription of Asphodelaceae adopted prior to the APG III system. Typically, plants have rosettes of more or less succulent leaves, with or without a distinct stem. Their flowers are arranged in racemes and tend to be either small and pale, pollinated by insects, or larger and more brightly coloured, pollinated by birds. As of 2017, 11 genera are recognized, most created since 2010 by splitting off another five genera from Aloe and another two from Haworthia. Only two genera, Aloe and Aloidendron, are native outside southern Africa, extending northwards to the Arabian Peninsula. Seven genera are restricted to South Africa, some with small ranges. Members of the Aloeae are cultivated by succulent plant enthusiasts; Aloe species especially are used in temperate climates as ornamental garden plants. Some species are used in traditional medicine. Aloe vera and Aloe ferox are cultivated for their extracts, whose uses include moisturizers and emollients in cosmetics.

<i>Crassula sarcocaulis</i> Species of succulent

Crassula sarcocaulis is a small shrubby succulent plant known by the common name bonsai crassula, due to its bonsai-like appearance. It is a perennial plant native to the southern and southeastern Africa, ranging from Malawi and Mozambique through Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho, and South Africa. It grows on mountain slopes in rocky terrain.

<i>Sempervivum ciliosum</i> Species of succulent

Sempervivum ciliosum, the Teneriffe houseleek is a species of flowering plant in the succulent stonecrop family, Crassulaceae, native to the Balkans and Southeastern Europe. Despite a superficial resemblance, houseleeks are not closely related to the American cacti family. A colony-forming evergreen perennial plant, each individual rosette can grow to around 7.5 cm (3.0 in) high and wide, forming dense mats of up to 50 cm (20 in) wide.

<i>Crassula brevifolia</i> Species of succulent plant

Crassula brevifolia is a succulent plant native to the arid western edge of South Africa as well as southern Namibia.

<i>Crassula subaphylla</i> Species of plant

Crassula subaphylla is a succulent plant belonging to the family Crassulaceae. It is widespread in the Karoo regions of South Africa and Namibia.

<i>Crassula pellucida</i> Species of plant

Crassula pellucida is a creeping, succulent ground-cover, or low-growing, spreading succulent shrub. It is native to eastern and southern Africa, ranging from Kenya and Angola to South Africa.

References

  1. 1 2 Linnaeus 1753.
  2. 1 2 Crassula perfoliata L. Plants of the World Online . Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  3. "Crassula perfoliata var. falcata". RHS. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Crassula perfoliata L. var. minor (Haw.) G.D.Rowley". South African National Biodiversity Institute . Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  5. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN   184533731X.

Bibliography