Crassula hemisphaerica off-colour

Crassula hemisphaerica has been described as an evergreen succulent. The dry season discoloration and leaf bulging after discarding its flower stalk seen here raises doubt as to whether this plant can produce another inflorescence next spring. It is possible that the detritus at the stem tip shows remains of more than one past flower stalk.

“Evergreen” still holds insofar as these leaves don’t fall, but their colour suggests struggle and resilience (ever-leaved?). The leaf surface dots, purple on young, green plants are red here.

The ciliate leaf margin fringes resembling millipede feet twist away from the leaf apex. Below the rosette dry material is visible that may be old leaf remains (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010).