Crassula brevifolia subsp. brevifolia flowers

The flowers of Crassula brevifolia subsp. brevifolia grow in clusters at or near branch tips. The creamy or pale yellow flowers have five bluntly pointed petals that recurve slightly, presenting the exserted stamens and stigma fully. The youngest flowers can be seen to still have the petals closed or pointing up; the oldest ones have already been discoloured brown. The anthers have become dark instead of yellow as on young flowers. The flower colour in this variable species may also be pink. Flowering happens in autumn.

The leaves of C. brevifolia subsp. brevifolia are yellow to orange with tinges of green in the photo. The leaves are slightly curved resembling banana shape, showing ridges that render them between triangular and cylindrical in cross-section. The leaves taper towards their rounded tips. They point upwards, tending to cluster at the stem tips.

This photo was taken in April to the east of Port Nolloth in Namaqualand (Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iSpot; www.succulents.co.za).