Crassula ciliata large leaf cilia or marginal fringes

The ciliate leaf margins of Crassula ciliata are shown in this photo taken in the Caledon Wildflower Garden. The older leaves, still fringed by some of their elastic marginal protrusions, have lost the fresh green colour. Some leaf tips have red margins.

When growing conditions are hard for an old plant, the elliptic leaves are considerably smaller, the cilia on the margins as well, sometimes hard to see. Old plants will also retain persistent dry leaves on their lower branches. Still further down the stem may be bare, pale and woody (Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iSpot).