Scientific Name
Crassula nudicaulis var. herrei (Friedr.) Toelken
Synonym(s)
Crassula herrei, Globulea nudicaulis, Globulea nudicaulis var. herrei
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula
Etymology
The varietal epithet "herrei" (pronounced "HER-ray-eye") honors Hans Herre (1925-1962), a well-known botanist who collected succulents in the Namaqualand and Richtersveld areas of South Africa and Namibia.
Origin
Crassula nudicaulis var. herrei is native to South Africa (Western Cape to the Orange River).
Description
Crassula nudicaulis var. herrei, also known as Crassula herrei, is a succulent plant with a shrubby habit. It can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) tall. The leaves are green, grey-green to brown, and more or less reddish near the tips. They are very thick, usually glabrous, semicircular in cross-section, and can measure up to 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) long.
The flowers are small, greenish, and directed upwards. They appear in spring and sometimes again in late summer.
How to Grow and Care for Crassula nudicaulis var. herrei
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20°F (-6.7°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Crassulas are easy to grow but susceptible to mealybugs and fungal diseases. As with all succulents, overwatering is fatal, so err on the side of too dry rather than too wet. Never let your plant sit in water. If you water from beneath by allowing the plant to sit in a saucer of water, make sure to pour off any excess water after a few minutes.
These succulents are generally started by division, offsets, or leaf cuttings. Crassulas can be easily propagated from a single leaf. Sprout leaves by placing them into a potting mix for succulents, then covering the dish until they sprout.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot your Crassula, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, removing any rotted or dead roots. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Crassula.
Links
- Back to genus Crassula
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
