About
Crassula atropurpurea, the purple crassula, is a very variable shrubby succulent that is common on rocky ground in the Karoo of South Africa and in southern Namibia.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Not recorded. We have no source on whether this plant is safe for cats, dogs or other pets — that is not the same as safe. Keep it out of reach until you have checked.
- People
- Not recorded.
- Mature size
- Up to about 60 cm tall.
Field notes
Morphology
Usually a small perennial shrub up to 60 cm with upright, branching stems. Stalkless, waxy, roughly linear-obovate leaves are packed evenly along the stems and turn purple in drought or strong sun. Pale yellow-white flowers are borne on a slender spike; a roughly channelled appendage on the back of each petal sets it apart.
Distribution & habitat
Common in rocky areas across the western half of southern Africa, from southern Namibia through Namaqualand and the western Karoo of the Western Cape. In the Little Karoo it grows between rocks and under bushes from Worcester east to Oudtshoorn.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- South Africa, Namibia
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- Not recorded
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Crossed C. atropurpurea with another species?Register the cross. If it's not documented yet you'll be the first contributor; if someone already registered it, you'll be taken there to add your photo.