Crassula tetragona subsp. acutifolia

This Crassula tetragona subsp. acutifolia plant was seen in Kirstenbosch during September. Previously known as C. acutifolia (among other names), this is one of six subspecies of C. tetragona. Some plants of this subspecies may reach 1 m in height, others are considerably smaller. The leaf-shape makes the subspecies name given here suspect.

The four ranks of narrow, succulent green leaves curve up and taper to acutely pointed tips. Both the leaves and the many small, cream or white flowers contribute to the attraction of the plant. The subspecies leaves are maybe shorter and wider than shown here.

This subspecies is found in the Eastern Cape near the Swartkops River, also possibly in the east of the Western Cape.

The habitat is dry grassland and rocky hillsides. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (iNaturalist; JSTOR; Wikipedia; http://redlist.sanbi.org).