Crassula tecta | Lizard skin crassula
€10,60
🌱 Morphology
A small, perennial succulent with very compact growth, forming dense basal rosettes barely 5 cm tall. The stem is very short, semi-succulent, and can branch from the base, developing small clusters of rosettes with age.
The leaves are very fleshy, opposite, and arranged in decussate pairs, partially overlapping like roof tiles, which is the origin of the epithet tecta. They are oblong to oblong-lanceolate, slightly compressed, approximately 2–3.5 cm long, with a rounded apex. Its most striking feature is the surface covered by numerous hard, irregular white papillae, which give the plant a greenish-gray, whitish coloration and a rough texture similar to lizard skin.
These papillae also function as protection against intense solar radiation, reflecting part of the radiation and reducing the heating of the leaf surface.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It is a species endemic to South Africa, distributed mainly throughout the Little Karoo, from Montagu in the west, through Oudtshoorn, to Steytlerville in the east. It inhabits winter rainfall areas, growing in very shallow and stony soils, on gravel and among exposed rock outcrops, mainly shales and, in some locations, associated with white quartzite pebbles.
It lives in full sun, practically without the protection of larger shrubs, and its whitish appearance allows it to blend in with the mineral substrate. It belongs to the Crassulaceae family.
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 9b–11b
It comes from a semi-arid winter rainfall region where it can experience light frosts. It is recommended to keep it completely dry when temperatures are low and protect it from intense and prolonged frosts. Its reduced plant mass and shallow roots make it especially important to avoid the combination of cold, humidity, and poor ventilation.
☀️ Lighting
It is a species of full sun in its natural habitat. It requires high light levels to maintain its compact growth and the characteristic grayish-whitish coloration of its leaves. Indicative DLI PAR: 15–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹.
The covering of white papillae constitutes an adaptation to the intense radiation of its environment and should not be interpreted as an indication that the plant prefers shade.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Summer dormancy. It is a primarily winter-growing succulent, adapted to the rainfall regime of the Little Karoo. Vegetative activity is favored during autumn, winter, and early spring, while summer, being warmer and drier, is a period of slowing down.
During the active period, it is recommended to water abundantly, letting the substrate dry out completely before watering again. During the summer, the frequency should be significantly reduced, and keeping the substrate moist for prolonged periods should be avoided. In cultivation, it can receive some water outside of its natural season if it maintains active growth, but always letting the substrate dry out completely between waterings.
🌸 Flowering
The inflorescence appears on a thin, erect peduncle of approximately 3–8 cm, ending in a dense, rounded head. The flowers are small, white or creamy-white, with five petals of about 3–4 mm, recurved at the tip, and yellow anthers.
Flowering occurs mainly during late autumn and winter depending on cultivation conditions. In cultivation, it can produce more than one head per peduncle.
🌿 Nutrition
During active growth periods, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, avoiding excessive fertilization that causes growth that is too rapid and reduces the species' characteristic compactness. Before flowering, Desert CHOICE® Flowering can be used.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technical square pot with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
📏 Gourmet xerophyte in a 9x9 cm pot.
* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the shipped specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The photo description specifies the plant's measurements, but this can also vary slightly because, after all, it is a living being! Each of the Desert CITY plants has unique characteristics.
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