CRASSULA
by L. M. Moe
The “Plant” of the month for January was the family Crassulaceae. One of the largest genera in the family is the genus Crassula, from which the family gets its name. (The next largest genus in the family is Sedum.)
There have been over 300 Crassula species described, but the most recent treatment by Gordon Rowley recognizes only 144*. They range in form from annuals to perennials, many of which are succulent. The genus is nearly cosmopolitan in distribution with the greatest number of species occurring in South Africa and Madagascar. The succulents in this group vary greatly in shape and size. Some varieties only grow an inch high at maturity, while others become 15-foot trees. Crassula ovata (Jade Plant; Chinese Rubber Tree; Money Plant) is an evergreen succulent that forms a large bush or small tree up to 15 feet high and 5 feet wide. Crassula falcata (Airplane Plant; Propeller Plant; Scarlet Paintbrush) is an interesting plant that grows up to 9 inches high with a spread of 10 feet.
Other more “flowerpot-friendly” species include many hybrids such as ‘Buddha's Temple’, 'Ivory Pagoda', 'Tom Thumb', and ‘Moon Glow.’ A fascinating plant is Crassula portulacacea (Trumpet Jade, Hobbit Plant 'Gollum') which has stubby cylindrical leaves with “windows” in the flattened tips.
To grow most of these in Bakersfield, they must be protected in winters and summers. However, rattail plant (Crassula muscosa) grows well outside, in full sunshine, in my backyard.
A good internet site for photos (If you can stand all the pop-ups) is:
* If you are interested in why there is so much disagreement about the numbers of species in genera, or the number of genera in families, or even whether Lithops is in the Aizoaceae or the Mesembryanthemaceae, I understand there will be a “fantastic” program on this subject at a future meeting.