Crassula biplanata is a succulent plant native to rocky ledges and mountainous areas in the southern parts of South Africa (the Cape Provinces).[1]

Crassula biplanata
Crassula biplanata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Crassula
Species:
C. biplanata
Binomial name
Crassula biplanata
Haw.

Description edit

 
Stem detail

Small (up to 30 cm), branching succulent perennial, with distinctive papillose internodes on its c.0,4cm diameter stem and tiny, gray-green, lanceolate leaves. The leaves become more silver-coloured in direct sunlight.

Delicate tubular, white flowers appear in clusters in late Summer. The petals are distinctively long (4-6 mm).[2]

Related species edit

This species has several close relatives, with which it is sometimes confused, namely: Crassula ericoides, Crassula tetragona, Crassula planifolia and Crassula sarcocaulis.

Distribution edit

It occurs from near Franschhoek in the west, in mountainous areas throughout the Little Karoo and Overberg regions, as far east as Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape Province.

Its habitat is usually shallow soil on rocky ledges or very rocky soil on lower mountain slopes. It is sometimes also found in rock cracks in mountain ranges at higher altitude. In exposed positions the plants are smaller, often decumbent, and can be covered in a dense silvery waxy powder.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ "International Crassulaceae Network". www.crassulaceae.ch. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  2. ^ "Crassula biplanata".
  3. ^ "Threatened Species Programme - SANBI Red List of South African Plants". redlist.sanbi.org. Retrieved 6 February 2019.