Crassula expansa subsp. filicaulis

Crassula expansa subsp. filicaulis is a short-lived, dwarf-succulent that branches much. The plant appears soft and delicate, reaching heights around 30 cm when in flower, often much shorter. It grows into a bushy shape, the prostrate branches rooting at the nodes. These side-roots appear stilt-like.

The maroon leaves seen here may also be green or yellowish green, sometimes with red tips. The leaves are succulent, shiny and hairless. Their shape is cylindrical or barrel-like, attenuating to soft, pointed tips. Leaves may become 4 mm long and 3 mm wide in their middle sections. There may be longitudinal grooves on the upper surfaces of the leaves.

The subspecies distribution is coastal in the Western Cape from Saldanha and along the south coast to the western part of the Eastern Cape as far as Port Alfred. The photo was taken at Vermont near Hermanus.

The habitat is exposed coastal dunes, sand flats and sandy patches among limestone. The subspecies is not considered threatened in habitat early in the twenty first century (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Privett and Lutzeyer, 2010; Mustart, et al, 1997; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).