Crassula spathulata leaves

The opposite leaves of Crassula spathulata grow decussate on soft stems, the internodes variable in length. The leaves are stalked, unlike those of C. pellucida, a similar species that bears sessile leaves.

The leaf-shape is ovate to broadly so, almost rounded. The tips vary from attenuating to tapering or rounded, the base rounded or tapering. The bright green, glossy blades are fleshy, glabrous and faintly uneven, their margins variably toothed. The leaves are slightly folded along the midrib that is sometimes slightly visible near the base of the blade, creamy in colour.

The white or pink, bisexual flowers grow in firmly stalked and much-branched, terminal clusters above the foliage. The green calyx has five narrow, acutely pointed or slightly round-tipped lobes clasping the corolla base.

The flower has five narrowly spreading petals that taper to acutely pointed tips. The petals are a deeper, dull pink-purple on the outside, clearly visible on the globose buds.

The five stamens spread from below the superior ovary that consists of five clearly differentiated carpels.

Flowering happens more in autumn but may start in spring and sometimes continue throughout the year (Bond and Goldblatt; 1984; iNaturalist; http://pza.sanbi.org).