Crassula moschata
Common names
shore stonecrop
Synonyms
Tillaea moschata (G.Forst.) DC.
Family
Crassulaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
No
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
CRAMOS
Chromosome number
2n = 28
Current conservation status
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website. This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants.
Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – an interim threat classification status has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.
- Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017 . 2018. Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley. Department of Conservation. Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
2017 | Not Threatened | Qualifiers: SO
Previous conservation statuses
2012 | Not Threatened
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Distribution
Indigenous. In New Zealand common from the south Wellington coastline south, including the Chathams and other subantarctic islands. Also reported from Mayor Island (Bay of Plenty).
Common in southern Chile, Argentina, The Falklands. Uncommon in Australia.
Habitat
Strictly coastal. On wave washed rock platforms, reefs, coastal cliffs faces, and damp peaty seepages and tidal creeks - always within the influence of salt spray.
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland). If you have suggestions for the Wetland Indicator Status Rating, please contact: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
FAC: Facultative
Commonly occurs as either a hydrophyte or non-hydrophyte (non-wetlands).
Detailed description
Perennial herb forming small to very large and extensive loose or dense mats, sometimes several metres in diameter; stems decumbent, rooting at nodes, ascending at tips, much-branched. Leaves connate at base, very variable, 2.0-12.0 × 1.2-3.4 mm, c.0.7 mm thick, narrowly oblong-spathulate or narrowly oblong-elliptic, sometimes elliptic, flattened above, weakly convex beneath; apex obtuse. Flowers solitary in leaf axils, star-like, sweetly fragrant, 4-merous, 4-6 mm diameter; pedicels 1-3 mm long at anthesis, not elongating at fruiting. Calyx lobes 1.0-1.8 × 0.5-0.6 mm, ovate or triangular-ovate, obtuse. Petals 2.0-3.5 × 1.2-1.7 mm, broadly obovate-elliptic to suborbicular, white or white with pink flush towards base, obtuse, much > calyx. Scales 0.8-0.9 mm long, oblong-cuneate to almost linear and only slightly wider towards apex. Follicles smooth. Seeds 0.5-0.7 mm long
Flowering
Throughout the year
Flower colours
Red/Pink, White
Fruiting
Throughout the year
Life cycle
Minute follicles are dispersed by wind and water and possiblty also by attachment (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Easy from rooted pieces and stem cuttings. Does best in damp soils in semi-shade, except in cool climates.
Etymology
crassula: From the Latin crassus ‘thick’, meaning ‘rather thick’
moschata: Musky
Attribution
Description modified from Webb et al. (1988).
Some of this factsheet information is derived from Flora of New Zealand Online and is used under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand licence.
References and further reading
Webb, C.J.; Sykes, W.R.; Garnock-Jones, P.J. 1988: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. IV. DSIR Botany Division, Christchurch.