Crassula Obovata Var. Dregeana Go to Plants of the Week Advanced Search Crassula Obovata Haw

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Crassula Obovata Var. Dregeana Go to Plants of the Week Advanced Search Crassula Obovata Haw Crassula obovata var. dregeana Go to Plants of the Week Advanced Search Crassula obovata Haw. var. dregeana (Harv.) Toelken Family: Crassulaceae Common names: hairy crassula (Eng.); harige crassula (Afr.) View other plants in this familyQR code linkView other plants in this genus A succulent plant growing in crevices or in rocky grassland patches. It has small whitish flowers and fleshy leaves with peculiar hairs, giving it a soft grey appearance. This species will easily grow in shady areas, unlike most of the other species of Crassula. Description Crassula obovata var. dregeana is a decumbent-erect succulent, up to 300 mm long. The base of the plant is often woody, and the leaves fleshy and densely covered with adpressed and recurved hairs. Basal leaves are arranged in rosettes and are obovate to spathulate, with the lower surface convex and the upper surface usually flat. Upper leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and are obovate to elliptic, with the lower surface convex and the upper surface concave. The upper leaves are usually (3–)4–5 mm thick, unlike var. obovata which has thinner leaves. The inflorescences are flat-topped cymes usually with 4–8(–10), tubular flowers that have white or cream-coloured (rarely pink) petals. The petals are 5–7 mm long. The flowering period of C. obovata var. dregeana is in autumn (from April to June). Conservation Status Crassula obovata var. dregeana is considered to be Vulnerable (VU) according to the Red List of South African plants, because of its small distribution range and threats posed by grazing and frequent fires. Distribution and habitat The genus Crassula has over 300 species, of which 150 are centered in South Africa. The species are distributed in Africa, Europe, America, New Zealand and the southern islands and the distribution is concentrated in semi-arid and winter-rainfall areas on rocky outcrops, in grassland or forest. The distribution range of C. obovata var. dregeana is limited to the southern area of the KwaZulu-Natal Province crossing over into the Eastern Cape Province. It typically grows in rock crevices or in rocky grassland outcrops on Table Mountain Sandstone, at 300–500 m above sea level. Derivation of name and historical aspects Crassula is a diminutive form of the Latin term crassus, meaning ‘thick’, which points to the succulent leaves typical of the genus. The species name obovata refers to the egg-shaped leaves. The variety name dregeana, honours the scientist and well-known plant collector Johann Franz Drège who collected the type material. Drège travelled to South Africa in the 19th century, collected many plant specimens (more than 9 500) and published his collecting notes in a book called Zwei Pflanzengeographische Documente, in 1843. Ecology The genus possesses a Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) often found in succulent plants. This metabolic pathway helps plants to retain water, by closing their stomata during the day and opening them only at night. It also improves absorption of carbon dioxide for effective photosynthesis. CAM allows plants to survive in harsh environments where water is not readily available. Uses There are no records of medicinal uses for C. obovata var. dregeana. Growing Crassula obovata var. dregeana Crassula obovata var. dregeana is very easy to grow. It requires well-drained soil, little water and sunny or shady conditions. It can be watered 3 times a week during the summer season and twice during the winter season. This variety makes an excellent candidate for a water-wise garden. Plants can be propagated through leaf or stem cuttings (specifically tips before flowering) or seed. Well-drained soil is required for cuttings to root or seeds to germinate. Mix 70% sterilised sandy soil with 30% of potting soil in a container. Water regularly initially until roots have formed and seeds have grown to small seedlings and harden off by watering less frequently. Place it in a cool area or a glasshouse in partial shade where it gets morning or afternoon sunlight. The seedlings can be planted out as soon as it has formed clustered leaves. References Glen, H. 2004. Sappi what’s in a name?. Jacana Media (PTY) Ltd. Johannesburg. 13, 53, 68. Gordon, R. 2003. Crassula: a grower’s guide. Cactus & Co, libri, Italy. iSpot southern Africa. https://www.ispotnature.org/communities/southern- africa/view/observation/348283/crassula-obovata-var-dregeana. Accessed on 17 August 2017. Leistner, O.A. (ed.). 2000. Seed plants of southern Africa: families and genera. Strelitzia 10. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. Notten, A. 2010-02. Crassula rubricaulis Eckl. & Zeyh. (Crassulaceae). PlantZAfrica. Internet 1 pp. http://pza.sanbi.org/crassula-rubricaulis. Accessed on 17 August 2017. The Plant List. 2017. http://www.theplantlist.org Accessed on 4 August 2017. Toelken, H.R. 1975. New taxa and new combinations in the genus Crassula. Journal of South African Botany 41(2): 93–124. Toelken, H.R. 1985. Crassulaceae. Flora of Southern Africa 14: 1–229. Victor, J.E. 2007. Crassula obovata Haw. var. dregeana (Harv.) Toelken. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2017.1. Accessed on 7 August 2017. Kagiso Sharlene Mashego and Marianne le Roux Pretoria National Botanical Garden January 2018 Plant Attributes: Plant Type: Succulent SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal Soil type: Sandy, Loam Flowering season:Autumn, Winter PH: Acid Flower colour: White, Cream Aspect: Full Sun, Shade, Morning Sun (Semi Shade), Afternoon Sun (Semi Shade) Gardening skill: Easy Special Features: Drought resistant Good potplant Indoor plant Horticultural zones Zone 1 Coastal summer rainfall, frost free Share this article .
Recommended publications
  • The Functional Role of Birds As Pollinators in Southern Cape Fynbos
    The functional role of birds as pollinators in southern Cape fynbos. Kellyn J. Whitehead A thesis presented in fulfilment of the academic requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Ecological Sciences At the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa January 2018 1 ABSTRACT Nectarivorous birds, particularly sunbirds, are important pollinators of plants in the Cape Flora of South Africa, being responsible for pollinating approximately 5% of plant species. However, interactions between plants and nectarivorous birds in the eastern part of the Cape Floristic Region have not received much attention. This study focussed on two putatively bird-pollinated plant species found within the Nature’s Valley area, namely Kniphofia uvaria and Chasmanthe aethiopica. The breeding systems were determined for each species and, due to their patchy population distribution, potential Allee effects on plant fecundity were also tested for. Flowering phenology in the area was also examined to test for associations between flowering of bird-pollinated plant species and the temporal presence of nectarivorous birds. Selective exclusion experiments showed that sunbirds were the main pollinators of K. uvaria and C. aethiopica – fruit set and the number of viable seeds were much higher for untreated (open control) individuals where birds could visit flowers freely, compared to caged individuals which only allowed for insect visitation. Very few seeds developed when plants of the two species were bagged to exclude all pollinators, indicating that the species are not capable of autonomous self-fertilization. Fruit and seed set were determined for patches of K. uvaria and C. aethiopica in order to test for potential Allee effects.
    [Show full text]
  • Technical Report Series No. 287 Advisory List of Environmental Weeds in Victoria
    Advisory list of environmental weeds in Victoria M. White, D. Cheal, G.W. Carr, R. Adair, K. Blood and D. Meagher April 2018 Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 287 Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning PO Box 137 Heidelberg, Victoria 3084 Phone (03) 9450 8600 Website: www.ari.vic.gov.au Citation: White, M., Cheal, D., Carr, G. W., Adair, R., Blood, K. and Meagher, D. (2018). Advisory list of environmental weeds in Victoria. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 287. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Heidelberg, Victoria. Front cover photo: Ixia species such as I. maculata (Yellow Ixia) have escaped from gardens and are spreading in natural areas. (Photo: Kate Blood) © The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 2018 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria as author. The licence does not apply to any images, photographs or branding, including the Victorian Coat of Arms, the Victorian Government logo, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning logo and the Arthur Rylah Institute logo. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en Printed by Melbourne Polytechnic, Preston Victoria ISSN 1835-3827 (print) ISSN 1835-3835 (pdf)) ISBN 978-1-76077-000-6 (print) ISBN 978-1-76077-001-3 (pdf/online) Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • The Passion for Cacti and Other Succulents ISSN 2285 – 3987
    the passion for cacti and other succulents ISSN 2285 – 3987 9 Jun 2014 the passion for cacti and other succulents contents 3 · Editorial 9 News & Events Pictorials | Eduart 17 · A New Mammillaria species from 60 · South american jewels! Gymnocalycium Ecology-Biology-Conservation Tamaulipas. spegazzinii. | Aldo Delladdio 4 · Rescue translocation of „in situ” 105 · Festa del Cactus, cactaceae: the case of Ariocarpus a big cactus show in Italy. 65 · South american jewels! And now, kotschoubeyanus. | Andrea Cattabriga some little opuntioids and the place | Pedro Nájera Quezada et Al. they live. Habitat Report | Aldo Delladdio 28 · Sierra Corral los Bandidos: protecting the natural wealth of Nuevo León, 19 · Turbinicarpus viereckii (Werderm.) Bits and pieces México. V. John & Riha subsp. reconditus D. | Carlos Gerardo Velazco Macías Labhart. 68 · Peyote brujo & tapayaxtin a fantastic | Cristian Perez Badillo & Ricardo Daniel Raya Sanchez encounter. 39 · Tula, Tamaulipas: where Ariocarpus | Ricardo Daniel Raya Sanchez agavoides (Castañeda) E.F. Anderson Aztekium valdezii dossier and A. kotschoubeyanus var. albiflorus 82 · Crassula rubricaulis a new adventive (Backeb.) Glass, meet. 32 · Aztekium valdezii, the new peyote. succulent recorded in New Zealand. | Aldo Delladdio | Anonymous | Eduart Zimer 51 · The biosphere reserve of Pinacate 37 · Good news, bad news and 93 · A variegated Carpobrotus edulis y Gran Desierto de Altar. a memorable photo. on Ohope Beach, Bay of Plenty, | Karla González Piña | Dag Panco New Zealand. | Eduart Zimer Contributions Travelogues Xero-files 11 · The hybrid Turbinicarpus 44 · Peru: a land of deserts, ice, oxygen pseudomacrochele × horripilus new deprivation and cacti. 70 · Notes on Sedum fuscum. data and considerations about the | Håkan Sönnermo | Pedro Nájera Quezada techniques of hybridization: the case of 75 · My latest African tour.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental and Biogeographic Influences on the Distribution and Composition of the Southern Cape Forests (Veld Type 4)
    ' ' I ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOGEOGRAPHIC INFLUENCES ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND COMPOSITION OF THE SOUTHERN CAPE FORESTS (VELD TYPE 4) by Coert Johannes Geldenhuys A thesis presented for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the Department of Botany Faculty of Science University of Cape Town Rondebosch UniversityAugust of 1989Cape Town The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University of Cape Town i CONTENTS Page Abstract i i Acknowledgements vi Preamble 1 Chapter I DISTRIBUTION, SIZE AND OWNERSHIP OF FORESTS IN THE SOUTHERN CAPE 10 Chapter 2 BERGWIND FIRES AS DETERMINANTS OF FOREST PATCH PATTERN IN THE SOUTHERN CAPE LANDSCAPE, SOUTH AFRICA 46 Chapter 3 COMPOSITION OF THE SOUTHERN CAPE FOREST FLORA, WITH ANNOTATED CHECKLIST 74 Chapter 4 RICHNESS, COMPOSITION AND RELATIONSHIPS OF THE FLORAS OF SELECTED FORESTS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 138 Chapter 5 COMPOSITION AND BIOGEOGRAPHY OF FOREST PATCHES IN THE INLAND MOUNTAINS OF THE SOUTHERN CAPE 209 Chapter 6 DISJUNCTIONS AND DISTRIBUTION LIMITS OF FOREST SPECIES 'IN THE SOUTHERN CAPE 247 Chapter 7 PHYTOGEOGRAPHY OF THE SOUTHERN CAPE FOREST FLORA 276 Chapter 8 ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOGEOGRAPHIC INFLUENCES ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND COMPOSITION OF THE SOUTHERN CAPE FORESTS: A SYNTHESIS 310 ii ABSTRACT This study aims at explaining the distribution and composition of the southern Cape forests, the largest forest complex in southern Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Acta Succulenta 2(3) 2014 258 Travelogue of a Photographer and a Naturalist (Part 3)
    English edition Vol. 2 - n° 3 (2014) CONTENTS 259 266 280 Travelogue of a Peru, land of Cochlearia 258 photographer deserts, ice, cacti officinalis, and a naturalist, and oxygen depri- the Cape Horners’ (Part 3). vation. succulent. Editorial Volume 2 - n° 3 311 329 343 Interfaces. 20 October 2014 Sempervivum Opuntia ‘Papiki’, The biological thompsonianum, first observations crust of the soil, the Houseleek as allochtonous in much more than surrounded by Iberian Peninsula. sand. confusion. Cover photo: Stefano Baglioni EDITORIAL Believe or not, fog is important for many succulent plants. In Europe, the fog is sometimes so dense that you feel you can cut it with a knife, but even this enveloping mist is very important for many maritime succulents, as well as for the native succulents which grow at the tops of high mountains, as an important water supply during the dry, summer months. On the other side of the globe, the coastal deserts of the western side of Southern Africa and South America are so arid that rain can be absent for many years. In these harsh lands, a kind of magic happens: every night a dense but delicate fog comes from the Ocean inland, so that many succulents can survive all year long without a single drop of rain, thanks to this moisture. They sometimes do better than many plants which grow in normal desert, such as in some parts of the USA, for example. But it’s at the base of these plants that another sort of magic occurs. In the Namib desert, the surface of the soil is often covered for kilometres by thick, dry formations, a sort of compact layer of contracted filaments, attached to the soil.
    [Show full text]
  • Softsucculentssingles.Pdf
    SOFT SUCCULENTS Aeoniums, Echeverias, Crassulas, Sedums, Kalanchoes, and related plants JEFF MOORE Copyright @ 2017 Jeff Moore Soft Succulents Writer and Photographer: Jeff Moore Contributing Photography: Jeremy Spath, Nels Christensen, Viggo Gram, John Trager, Randy Baldwin, Tina Zucker, Todd Setzer, Bob Wigand, Michael J. Viray, Sean Foto, Len Geiger. Book Design: Deborah Perdue, Illumination Graphics Images, text Copyright Jeff Moore 2017 (unless otherwise credited) All other images credited individually All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic methods, without the prior written permission of Jeff Moore, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. But I’m pretty cool – just get in touch and we can talk. For permission requests, contact Jeff Moore Jeff Moore, Solana Succulents [email protected] ISBN: 978-0-9915846-3-5 Printed in Malaysia First Printing, 2017 his book is dedicated to all my regular and semi-regular Tcustomers that have kept my little nursery in Solana Beach open for the past 25 years. Hopefully I’ve lured you in with quality plants at a fair price and good advice. But I know there are a handful of you that, while you definitely are into the plants, probably spend money at my place at least partially because you like to see a small business succeed. The same plant might have been cheaper at Home Depot (if they had it). For that I thank you. And for those of you for whom I’ve served as an enabler for your addiction, well sorry, but I know it has brought you happiness, and you too have helped keep me in business.
    [Show full text]
  • 30 August 2010 Disclaimer
    GARDEN ROUTE NATIONAL PARK: THE TSITSIKAMMA SECTION STATE OF KNOWLEDGE Contributors: N. Hanekom1, R.M. Randall1, D. Bower, A. Riley2 and N. Kruger1 1 SANParks Scientific Services, Garden Route (Rondevlei Office), PO Box 176, Sedgefield, 6573 2 Knysna National Lakes Area, P.O. Box 314, Knysna, 6570 Most recent update: 30 August 2010 Disclaimer This report has been produced by SANParks to summarise information available on a specific conservation area. Production of the report, in either hard copy or electronic format, does not signify that: . the referenced information necessarily reflect the views and policies of SANParks; . the referenced information is either correct or accurate; . SANParks retains copies of the referenced documents; . SANParks will provide second parties with copies of the referenced documents. This standpoint has the premise that (i) reproduction of copywrite material is illegal, (ii) copying of unpublished reports and data produced by an external scientist without the author’s permission is unethical, and (iii) dissemination of unreviewed data or draft documentation is potentially misleading and hence illogical. This report should be cited as: Hanekom N., Randall R.M., Bower, D., Riley, A. & Kruger, N. 2009. Garden Route National Park: The Tsitsikamma Section – State of Knowledge. South African National Parks. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................3 2. ACCOUNT OF AREA..........................................................................................................3
    [Show full text]