Crassula tomentosa var. glabrifolia

    Crassula tomentosa var. glabrifolia
    Author: Ivan Lätti
    Photographer: Jack Lätti

    Crassula tomentosa var. glabrifolia is a dwarf leaf-succulent that branches to form a small clump lasting for a year or two.

    The few leaf rosettes deviate from the circular in leaves positioned as if in a small book, aligned parallel next to each other, especially in the centre of the rosette. The leaves are more broadly rounded than ovate or obovate, flatly disc-like and green, grey or purplish brown.

    The hairs usually growing along the leaf margins are conspicuous, while the blade surfaces are glabrous or hairless. The plant in picture seen in Namaqualand had no hairs at all.

    Tiny pink flowers are produced in spike-like thyrses, spaced at intervals along stout, erect stalks with velvety surfaces.

    The species distribution is in the Western Cape, the west of the Northern Cape and slightly into southern Namibia.

    The plants grow in the winter rainfall region, mostly receiving low amounts of it. Plants are found in sandy soil often in rocky places. The variety is not considered threatened in habitat early in the twenty first century (iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).

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