Crassula rupestris in a clinch

Crassula rupestris suspended by rocks in this fashion survives by exploring the unusual options available to it. It achieves an appearance different from its kith and kin, its conspecifics, as it hangs by its roots.

The plant is not simply coping with the rocky crevice, it is leaning into its constraints, turning them into opportunistic strategy of its own. The long, pendent stems are chasing light and root as they progress. The leaves retain their striking, mathematically precise pattern on the stems, while becoming smaller as they bulge more, and vary in colour more.

If this trend continues and increases, the average appearance of the species will shift to include the cliff specialist form, or become it. It explains why people become unsure of well-known species seen in dramatically different living conditions. If natural selection keeps doing its thing over sufficient generations, the rare stress‑form may turn into the stable, evolutionary strategist.

So, stress doesn’t always limit form. It may reveal newly created, rather than hidden forms, never to have appeared should the particular challenges not have been posed by the environment. It is like creation isn’t over. The circumstances invite nature to shape responses never seen before!

Instead of dreading climate change, one may fantasise about outlandish looks and adaptations of one’s offspring, a sufficient number of generations into the future.