Crassula arborescens subsp. arborescens
Common names
tree crassula
Biostatus
Exotic
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Flower colours
White
Similar taxa
There are two subspecies - Crassula arborescens subsp. arborescens and subsp. undulatifolia. The latter has elliptic, undulate, and erect leaves. It may also be mistaken for Crassula ovata but can be distinguished by the waxy bloom on the almost spherical leaves of Crassula arborescens subsp. arborescens.
Conservation status
Not applicable
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Taxonomic notes
Drought tolerant. Will tolerate cold once established but not heavy frost or snow.
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Year naturalised
2005
Reason for introduction
Horticultural
Life cycle and dispersal
Perennial shrub. Reproduciotn is mainly vegetative from leaves which form plantlets and discarded pieces of stem which root freely. Very slow growing. It may be possible seed is formed in New Zealand, these are small and long-lived. Dispersed through disarticulation of leaves and stems, mainly accidental (the first record originated from a car crash!) but possibly deliberate. In new Zealand it is very slow growing.
Other information
Etymology
crassula: From the Latin crassus ‘thick’, meaning ‘rather thick’
arborescens: Becoming a tree