Family Crassulaceae

All species of animals and plants belong to what is known as a family. If we talk about the plant kingdom, this will be botany. Well then: of all the families that exist in the world of succulents, probably the one that has the most importance, because it has precious species that are very easy to care for, is the Crassulaceae.

It is estimated that there are about 1400 different ones (not counting cultivars and hybrids), which are part of 35 genera. And although they are mostly found in the northern hemisphere and southern Africa, we would say that it is (almost) impossible not to have any in any collection of succulents, from anywhere in the world.

What are the characteristics of the Crassulaceae?

The Crassulaceae, or crassulaceae, they are herbaceous, subshrub, arboreal and, rarely, aquatic plants. Most species live in arid or semi-arid regions, where water is scarce and temperatures can be very high. As a result, the leaves become reservoirs of the precious liquid, thanks to which they stay alive during the most difficult times.

These leaves are simple, but the arrangement varies from one species to another: some are alternate, others opposite, some basal rosettes ... The color can also be different, although it is usual for them to be of some greenish hue. As for the flowers, they are hermaphrodites, usually whitish, and the fruits are dried, in capsules or follicles. Inside they contain small dark colored seeds.

How do they photosynthesize? CAM metabolism

These plants photosynthesize in a different way than, for example, trees or shrubs that we usually see in gardens. When living in areas where temperatures are very high during the day, saving water is vital.

Therefore, have evolved to photosynthesize in two phases: the nocturnal, in which they absorb carbon dioxide and store it in the vacuoles as malic acid; and the diurnal, in which this acid is released into the plants to form carbohydrates, which are their food.

Main genera of the family Crassulaceae

The most important and popular genera of crassulaceae are the following:

Adromischus

Adromischus are very small succulent plants, which they reach 2-5 centimeters in height at most, endemic to southern Africa. The leaves are fleshy, rounded, plant or wedge-shaped. Its flowers emerge from the center of each individual, form a spike.

There are an estimated 28 accepted species, of which the Adromischus cooperi it is the most common.

Aeonium

Los Aeonium They are a genus of subshrub plants originating mainly from the Canary Islands, but also from Madeira, Morocco and the eastern part of Africa. Its leaves are more or less flat, green or brownish in color., and usually develop a stem of about 30 centimeters in height on average.

There are 75 accepted species, the type species being Aeonium arboreum.

Cotyledon

The Cotyledons are endemic plants of southern Africa, whose leaves are fleshy, and of very different color and shape (There are green, glaucous, rounded or elongated, etc.). Some can reach a height of 60 centimeters. The flowers arise from a flower stalk, and are usually orange.

There are 12 accepted species, the best known being the Cotyledon orbiculata.

Crassula

The Crassula genus is represented in many parts of the world, but the most widely cultivated varieties are from South Africa. They can reach a height of 20 centimeters, or up to 2,5 meters. The leaves are fleshy, evergreen or deciduous, and the flowers are grouped in inflorescences.

There are a total of 620 species. Of these, some of the most popular are Crassula ovata y Crassula arborescens.

echeveria

The gender of echeveria It is one of the favorites, from what I have been able to verify participating in plant forums, as well as in Facebook groups of succulents. They are herbaceous that live in the southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. The leaves are fleshy, somewhat rounded, and of various colors (greenish, bluish, pink). From the center of each rosette sprouts a floral stem, also fleshy, with hermaphrodite flowers of red, orange, yellow, white, green or pink.

It is estimated that there are 393 species, the type species being Echeveria coccinea. To grow on a terrace, we recommend echeveria elegans, echeveria laui and / or echeveria subrigida.

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe are shrubs or herbaceous, usually perennial although there are some annuals or biennials, native to both the Old and New World, although they are especially abundant in Madagascar. They reach heights that either do not exceed one meter, or can reach 6 meters. The leaves are fleshy, greenish in color, and the edges are serrated, crenate or tooth-shaped. Its flowers appear in panicles, corymbs or cymes, and are orange or reddish in color.

There are 125 species, being the ones that we have selected for you the following: Kalanchoe beharensis, Kalanchoe orgyalis y Kalanchoe pinnata.

Sedum

The Sedum genus is made up of annual or perennial plants that live in temperate or even cold regions around the world. The leaves are fleshy, flat or cylindrical, of various colors. The flowers are hermaphroditic, usually yellow in color.

There are some 400 accepted species, such as the Sedum acre or Sedum album.

Sempervivum

We end up with the genus Sempervivum. It is native to Western Europe, and grows forming rosettes of fleshy leaves, more or less triangular, of greenish color. The flowers are grouped in inflorescences and are yellow, reddish or pink depending on the variety. After flowering, that rosette dies.

There are about 30 species, of which we highlight Sempervivum arachnoideum y Sempervivum tectorum.

What do you think of the plants of the Crassulaceae family?