Crassula setulosa var. longiciliata

Crassula setulosa var. longiciliata, a dwarf succulent, forms a leafy mat or cushion of leaves that spread on many branches along the ground. One, some, or all six varieties of this species carry the Afrikaans name of klipskeurplakkie (rock crevice plaquette(?)). Plakkie is an Afrikaans name for several indigenous succulents with thick, flat, disc-shaped leaves, mainly among the cotyledons.

The leaves of C. setulosa var. longiciliata grow in dense rosettes, the margins long-haired, as said by the variety name, longiciliata (long-fringed like eyelashes). The middle of the continuous leaf mat bulges cushion-like, several erect flower stalks protruding through its green surface. The red flower stalks are fleshy and sturdy. The flowers, five-pointed white stars, form flat-topped, dense inflorescences.

The variety is mostly found in the west of KwaZulu-Natal, but also in Mpumalanga in an area that includes Lydenburg. This plant was spotted in Lesotho near the KwaZulu-Natal border in January. 

The plants grow among rocks in high altitude, montane grassland. The status of the variety's population in nature is unknown (Smith, et al, 2017; Van Jaarsveld, et al, 2006; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).