Crassula colorata var. acuminata
Biostatus
Exotic
Conservation status
Not applicable
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Similar taxa
Distinguished from the other members of Crassula Sect. Glomertae by the 5-merous (5 petals) flowers and the distinctly tuberculate bases of the fruiting follicles.
Habitat
Short tussock grassland in open ground that dries out in summer
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Year naturalised
1945
Origin
Australia
Reason for introduction
Probably an accidental introduction on imported Australian Sheep.
Tolerances
Tolerant to extreme conditions due to its annual habit.
Life cycle and dispersal
Short-lived late winter, spring annual. Reproduces by exclusively by seed. Seeds are miniscule and long-lived. Dispersed by wind, water and in soil trapped within vehicle tyres, footwear and animal feet. Also in wool
Other information
Etymology
crassula: From the Latin crassus ‘thick’, meaning ‘rather thick’
colorata: Coloured
acuminata: From the Latin acumen ‘sharp, acute’, refers to something tapering gradually or abruptly from inwardly curved sides into a narrow point