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] 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.
| Crassula perfoliata | |
|---|---|
| |
| C. perfoliata var. falcata | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Crassulaceae |
| Genus: | Crassula |
| Species: | C. perfoliata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Crassula perfoliata | |
| Synonyms | |
Four varieties are recognized:[2]
- Crassula perfoliata var. coccinea (Sweet) G.D.Rowley
- C. perfoliata var. falcata (J.C.Wendl.) Toelken
- C. perfoliata var. heterotricha (Schinz) Toelken
- C. perfoliata var. perfoliata
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] Growing to 1 m (3.3 ft) tall by about as broad, this succulent, evergreen subshrub is known for its greyish-teal, thick foliage which emerges in a criss-cross or rosette formation, on an ever-lengthening stem which may produce aerial roots and thus further spread the plant. It has inflorescences of brilliant profusions of scarlet blossoms in the summer. 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 to 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, turface, 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.
The Latin specific epithet perfoliata means "with the leaves surrounding the stem".[4]
References
edit- ^ a b Linnaeus 1753.
- ^ a b Crassula perfoliata L. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Crassula perfoliata var. falcata". RHS. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 184533731X.
Bibliography
edit- Linnaeus, Carl (1753). "Crassula". Species Plantarum: exhibentes plantas rite cognitas, ad genera relatas, cum differentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas. Stockholm: Impensis Laurentii Salvii. pp. 282–283., see also Species Plantarum
- WFO (2019). "Crassula perfoliata L." World Flora Online. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
