by Troy Hudson
(Los Angeles)
An unknown dreg from a local plant sale.
Nearly circular leaves, about 2″ in diameter. Thick, with almost no visible veins. Bumpy, waxy surface. Juvenile leaves have thin red edges.
Leaves grow in pairs, with new leaves adjoining the next oldest set before the stem grows and separates them.
Underside of leaves is paler, with tiny dark spots (presumably the stomata).
Long stem reaching out from the primary root.
Two long flowering stems, also with very dark clusters of four small leaves.
Flowers are small, 4-petaled, pink, spiky, with stamens jutting out between the 4 petals in the same plane.
Drought Smart Plants reply: This is an interesting plant, and one that you must absolutely treat with respect; in some areas, such as where you are, this drought tolerant plant has become an invasive weed.
Crassula multicava is pretty, and will certainly fill in an empty spot quite nicely, but they also self seed in warm climates.
This could be why it was ‘dregs’ at the sale! Maybe everyone else knew what it was, and avoided it like the plague. Please use caution planting this guy.
See more on this page (scroll to the bottom and look through the visitors stories): Crassula
Best of luck!
Jacki
See more about Crassula multicava on Dave’s Garden Website
