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Crassula ovata (Mill.) Druce
| Family Name: | Crassulaceae |
| Synonyms: | Crassula argentea, Crassula portulacea, Cotyledon ovata |
| Common Name: | Jade Plant, Dollar Plant, Friendship Tree, Lucky Plant |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Succulent Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Compact, Rounded |
| Maximum Height | 1 m to 3.3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | South Africa, Mozambique |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Inland Cliff) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Rounded, evergreen shrub with a highly branched, bushy growth form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Thick, densely clustered leaves are elliptical to ovate (3-9 cm long, 1.8-4 cm wide). They are dark grey-green and often have a reddish, smooth margin. Leaves are directly attached to the stem with minimal petiole. |
| Stems | Thick, fleshy stem is gray and smooth. |
| Flowers | Light pink, star-shaped flowers are arranged in dense, round clusters. Flowers emit a sweet fragrance. |
| Fruit | Fruits are small capsules that contain many, tiny seeds. |
| Habitat | Located in rocky outcrops. |
| Cultivation | In Singapore, this species requires air conditioning to survive. Although it grows well in full sun or semi-shade, it flowers best under full sun. It requires well-drained loamy soil. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Suitable for Bonsai, Suitable for Rooftops, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, General, Skyrise / Balcony |
| Thematic Landscaping | Rockery / Desert Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Shallow Media |
| Planting Remarks | In Singapore, this species needs air conditioning to survive. |
| Fertilizing | Feed with a low nitrogen fertilizer, such as those used for tomatoes or vegetables. |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Leaf Cutting, Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Reticulate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Aboveground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 874 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2169 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
