Crassula perforata subsp. perforata

Click on an image to enlarge it.

Botanical Name

Crassula perforata subsp. perforata

Family

Crassulaceae - The crassula family.

Pronunciation

KRASS-oo-la per-foh-lee-AH-tuh

Common Name(s)

English: Concertina Plant; Necklace Vine; String of Buttons

Afrikaans: Konsertinabossie; Sosaties ; Sosatiesbossie

Plant Group

Succulent A plant having fleshy stems or leaves often adapted to dry conditions.

Plant Size

Small to Medium

Tree 8m to 15m

Shrub 75cm to 1m

Perennial/ground cover 20cm to 40cm

Bulb 30cm to 40cm

Succulent 20cm to 40cm

Position

Dry Shade Shady areas where soil has poor water retention or are dependent on rain for their moisture needs.
Light or Dappled Shade Found below trees with sparse, open foliage. Ideal for the protection of herbaceous plants.
Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.
Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Drought Tolerance: High The plant is well adapted to arid conditions; it can survive long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Evergreen Plants that have leaves all year round.
Frost: Half-hardy The plant is able to survive low temperatures and some frost but requires protection against severe frost.
Water Wise Plant species originating from low rainfall regions that require less water to survive and thrive than other plant species.

Specific Information

Crassula perforata belongs to a group of crassulas loosely known as 'stacked' crassulas. The opposing pairs of succulent, triangular leaves are joined at the base and 'stacked' densely (about 5 mm apart) on thin stems. The leaf pairs appear to be threaded onto the stems, hence the common names String of Buttons and Necklace Vine.

The leaf margins have an attractive reddish tinge which disappears in shade or if over-watered. The plant forms long trailing stems which sprawl untidily on the ground, grow up through shrubbery or hang attractively over rocks.

Ad Break

Flowers

Description

tiny star-shaped flowers in sparse clusters on tall thin stems

Season

Spring Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

creamy-yellow

Growth Rate

Moderate to Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Container Trees, shrubs and ornamental species that can adapt to growing in a restricted environment.
Filler Either a fast growing tree or shrub used temporarily to fill in an area while the permanent plants grow to a desired size, or a plant used to fill gaps in borders or beds.
Pot Plant A plant that needs a protected environment on a patio or indoors.
Retaining Walls Shallow rooted plants for cascading over dry stone walls or planting in hollow spots in retaining blocks.
Rock Garden An area constructed of larger rocks, arranged naturally, to emphasise the use of stones as a main element. Generally plants used do not need a lot of care.
Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.

Distribution and Habitat

from Worcester in the Western Cape, through the Eastern Cape to Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, in Albany Thicket, Fynbos, Grassland, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, Nama Karoo, Savanna, and Succulent Karoo, in rock crevices, on rock faces and among boulders in ravines

Planting Suggestions

Plant Crassula perforata in well drained, low nutrient soil. As with many Crassulas, it needs some protection from direct sunlight for at least part of the day. This being said, direct sunlight brings out the red colour on the leaves, and increases flowering. As can be seen in the pictures above, in nature it grows in the protection of loose or open scrub or shrubs, affording it both shade in summer as well as protection from light frost in winter. Water well when soil is dry to the touch, but be cautious in winter as cold, wet soil will cause root rot. Old flower stems can be removed but they will turn brittle and fall off by the end of summer.

Lorraine's Garden Notes

I have at times neglected to water this plant and it is tenacious and forgiving. I do remove spent flower stems at times and spread the cuttings beneath the plant as mulch - what came out goes straight back in.

Medicinal Uses

No data found.

Ad Break

Author: Lorraine Solomon