Crassula corallina leaves

Crassula corallina plants branch, their lower stems sometimes rooting at the nodes. The stem-tip is densely leaved by opposite pairs of chubby leaves differentiated in size by age (in age by size).

The obovate to elliptic leaf surfaces are rough, covered in numerous, minute protuberances and pitted spots. The tiny, white-frosted leaves resemble sea coral that earned them their specific name.

Stems can only be glimpsed lower down among the more spaced older leaves. These leaves have lost their whitish, heat-reflecting colour in favour of a darker yellow-green. Maybe the wider spacing low down allows more air through for ventilation, the reflective surfaces no longer required as much.

The photo was taken in August in the Hester Malan Succulent Garden of the Goegap Nature Reserve (Frandsen, 2017; http://www.llifle.com).