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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Pinkish White |
| Bloomtime: Year-round |
| Synonyms: [C. lucida] |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Crassula spathulata (Uguwe) - A trailing, creeping or slightly climbing low growing succulent with slender squarish stems to 3 feet long and hold oppositely arranged 3/4 inch long rounded to leaves with tiny rounded teeth along the often reddish tinged (in sun) leaf margins. At most any time of the year can appear the small white star shaped flowers that are tinged red on delicate branching inflorescences held at right angles at the stem tips. The peak bloom is often listed as late spring into summer but we also get a nice flowering fall into winter. Plant in full sun to fairly deep shade - leaves of plants in sun have reddish tint that in absent in the shade. Water only occasionally but tolerates more water if soil drains well. Has proven hardy to 25°F. A charming drought tolerant evergreen groundcover that forms a dense enough mat that suppress weeds or use as a container of even in a hanging basket. This plant comes from near the southern areas of Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces of South Africa, particularly along the Knysna and Transkei coastal areas where it grows on rock outcrops out along forest margins. The specific epithet means "spoon shaped" in reference to the leaf shape. The only common name we have found for this plant is Uguwe, which is a name in isiXhosa, a language spoken by the indigenous South African Bantu people. We thank John Bleck and John Trager for helping us identify this plant that we long had unnamed in our garden.
The information on this page is based on our library and online research as well as observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We have also incorporated comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Crassula spathulata.
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