Crassulaceae.
Crassula, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. i. p. 657.
Crassula portulacea, Lam. Dict. ii. p. 172; Fl. Cap. vol. ii. p. 337.
This species of Crassula is somewhat related to C. falcata, figured on Plate 12, but differs in its more shrubby habit. It belongs to the section Latifoliae of the genus, which contains three species, all succulent branching shrubs, with broad flat fleshy leaves.
Crassula portulacea is a large much-branched shrub up to 10 to 12 ft. high, and is found in the south-eastern parts of the Cape Province, in the coastal districts from Montagu to Port Elizabeth.
Our plate was prepared from plants flowering in the rockeries at the Division of Botany, Pretoria. Here it forms a small, more or less compact shrub about 2 ft. high, and flowers very profusely. The flowers appear during the winter months, and when in full bloom the plant makes a very effective show on the rockery.
Description:—Branches succulent. Leaves up to 5 cm. long, 3 cm. broad, obovate, rounded at the apex, produced into a short broad petiole, articulated to the branches, glabrous. Inflorescence terminal, in large lax cymose panicles. Calyx campanulate, with very short lobes. Petals 1 cm. long, 2·5 mm. broad, oblong, with a small apiculus at the apex. Stamens 5, alternating with the petals; filaments 5·5 mm. long, linear, tapering upwards; anthers more or less crescent-shaped. Hypogynous glands oblong, rounded above. Carpels 5, free; ovary ellipsoid; style 3 mm. long, terete; stigma small, capitate.[{148}]
Plate 156.—Fig. 1, median longitudinal section of flower; Fig. 2, a single carpel; Fig. 3, stamen; Fig. 4, hypogynous gland.