Crassula


Crassula congesta
Select and click for a larger image.

Distribution: Africa: South Africa: Western Cape:


Crassula congesta is an uncommon species that is found, usually associated with quartz patches, between Touws River and Oudtshoorn. The white flowers are densely packed at the top of the plant. The flowering time is in winter.

The leaves are tightly packed in the shape of an X around the stem.

Two subspecies are recognized: Crassula congesta ssp. congesta and Crassula congesta ssp. laticephala,

Crassula congesta ssp. congesta occurs between Touwsriver and Laingsburg while Crassula congesta ssp. laticephala occurs between Barrydale and Oudtshoorn. In the case of ssp. laticephala the leaves have a sharp point and are bend downwards.

Crassula congesta is regarded as a biennial succulent, which means that it is supposed to live for only two years in the wild and die after flowering. In reality it's livespan is probably longer.

References:

1. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantcd/crassulacongesta.htm, 2. Plants of the Klein Karoo - Jan and Anne-Lise Vlok.


Crassula congesta Crassula congesta Crassula congesta
Crassula congesta ssp. laticephala west of Ladismith. Plant about to start flowering. Flowers.



Complete plantnames alphabetically
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z