Crassula perfoliata var. coccinea

Crassula perfoliata var. coccinea in picture has grey-green, channelled and variously pointed leaves. They may also be yellow-green and more uniformly pointed. Its normal summer flowers are red, conspicuously positioned above the foliage on stalks long enough for this presentation, creating an attractive colour contrast, but aimed at not being missed by the pollinators.

The variety distribution is in the Eastern Cape.

The habitat is variable scrub and thicket, often on arid, exposed, rocky cliffs. The habitat population of the variety is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century.

Cuttings of this plant grow easily. They should be positioned in full sun on well-drained ground, or rockeries. Think of a plant's living conditions in the veld when choosing its spot. Some collect a little soil from where their challenging plant grows naturally in the veld to put with the roots in the garden. Root interaction with species adapted bacteria or chemical may do tricks when all else fails. This plant is not expected to be a problem child... under the conditions where it is usually introduced (Euston-Brown and Kruger, 2023; Van Jaarsveld, et al, 2006; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).