Crassula alba Forssk.

grassland red crassula

Afr

isiZulu

impakatha, isidwe, isikhelekhehlane

IsiXhosa

Description

Family:

Crassulaceae

Order:

Saxifragales

Description

Crassula alba is a perennial, rosette-forming succulent with bright green, lance-shaped leaves that may have purple markings. Leaves form a basal rosette and also appear in pairs along the stem. The plant produces large, flat-topped heads of small, tubular flowers, most commonly bright scarlet red, but also white, pink, or yellow. Flower heads can reach up to 15 cm in diameter and appear in late summer to autumn. The plant is adapted to grasslands and rocky slopes, dying back after flowering and resprouting in spring, a survival strategy for fire-prone habitats.

Plant Details

Height

25–50 cm (inflorescence up to 80 cm)

Thorns

None

Soil

Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils; tolerates shallow, rocky soils

Fast; forms dense clumps over several seasons

Growth Rate

25–50 cm (inflorescence up to 80 cm)

Size

Perennial

Lifespan

Flower Colour

, ,

Horticultural Zones

Acid to neutral

pH

Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils; tolerates shallow, rocky soils

Soil

Full sun

Aspect

High; leaves may die back in winter but regrow in spring

Frost Tolerance

High; survives dry periods and recovers quickly after rain

Drought Resistance

Companion Plants

Combines well with other grassland forbs and succulents; suitable for rockeries and mixed wildlife beds.

Caterpillars

Host for Common Black Eye and Tailed Black Eye butterfly larvae.

Associations

Descriptions

The profusion of small, bright flowers attracts a wide range of pollinating insects, especially honeybees and butterflies. The plant is a larval host for the Common Black Eye and Tailed Black Eye butterflies. Its dense mats provide ground cover and microhabitat for small invertebrates, and help stabilize soil and prevent erosion in grassland habitats.

Flowers and fruits

Large, flat-topped heads of red, pink, white, or yellow tubular flowers; pollinated by insects. Fruits are small capsules with fine seeds dispersed by wind.

Birds

Indirectly supports insectivorous birds by attracting pollinators and other insects.

By Seeds:

Sow seeds in spring or early summer in well-drained soil; seeds germinate rapidly.

By Cuttings:

Can be divided by separating clumps; vegetative propagation is easy and best done in early spring.

Traditional Uses

Used in traditional medicine for treating dysentery, diarrhea, and heartburn; sap applied for burns and wounds.
Not a primary fodder species; not known to be toxic.
Not known to be toxic.
Valuable for grassland restoration, erosion control, and supporting pollinator and invertebrate diversity; helps stabilize soils and increase biodiversity in restoration projects.

Plant Details

Height

Description

Thorns

Description

Leaves

Description

Size

Growth Form

Size

Size

Size

Lifespan

Size

Flower Colour

Size

Flowering Season

Size

Horticultural Zones

Size

pH

Size

Soil

Size

Aspect

Size

Frost Tolerance

Size

Drought Resistance

Description

DESCRIPTION

Height

DESCRIPTION

Leaves

DESCRIPTION

Thorns

DESCRIPTION

BSS

Ecoscore

Host plant Nectar Grazing

Link to PlantzAfrica.co.za

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Distribution

Companion Plants

Description

Caterpillars

Associations

Leaves

Leaves

Flowers and fruits

Leaves

Birds

Leaves

Mammals

Leaves

By Seeds:

Leaves

By Cuttings:

Leaves

Traditional Uses

traditional uses