Crassula deceptor

In the arid north-west of South Africa there are many even smaller succulents than these Crassula deceptor plants. Small is beautiful and more manageable in the garden as succulent aficionados will agree. For the plant itself small is sometimes safer in habitat, although not always.

Moisture at a premium, successful adaptation becomes attainable with leaf succulence, flowering on little resources and dispersing as many seeds on the wind quickly.

Growing compact, pale leaves that reflect the heat, reduces risk from climatic variables. Being unobtrusive in size and colour from resembling surrounding quartzite and sand, reduces unwanted attention from animal or human on the prowl (Williamson, 2000; Le Roux, et al, 2005).