Crassula tetragona, possibly subsp. robusta

Crassula tetragona is doing very well here in the Addo Elephant National Park. C. tetragona subsp. robusta is commonly known as the karkai or kerkei, a name shared with other crassulas of the south of South Africa. Flourishing plants may reach 1 m in height, although this may not include all six of the recognised subspecies.

Many erect stems that branch high and low contribute to this dense green and grey-green stand. The photo was taken in August, well before the plant’s summer bloomtime. 

A subspecies expected to be found at Addo is C. tetragona subsp. robusta, the subspecies endemic to the Easter Cape.

The plants grow in river valleys, doing well in partial shade of karoid shrubland. The habitat population is deemed of least concern (Frandsen, 2017; Smith, et al, 2017; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; iNaturalist; iSpot).