Southern water-stonecrop (Crassula vaillantii, Enum. Pl. Phaen. Germ. 1(1): 992 (1827))

Family: Crassulaceae

Author: (Willd.) Roth

Bibliography: Enum. Pl. Phaen. Germ. 1(1): 992 (1827)

Year: 1827

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Crassula

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit. to Xinjiang, S. Africa

Description

The Southern water-stonecrop, scientifically known as Crassula vaillantii, is a fascinating plant belonging to the Crassulaceae family. This exotic species was first described extensively in 1827 in the volume “Enum. Pl. Phaen. Germ. 1(1): 992” by the botanist Roth, after initial classification by Willdenow.

Crassula vaillantii is adapted to a variety of climates, flourishing in regions ranging from the Mediterranean to Xinjiang, and extending to Southern Africa. This wide distribution indicates the plant’s remarkable adaptability and resilience in different environmental conditions. It typically thrives in water-rich, marshy landscapes, which justifies its common name “Southern water-stonecrop.”

Belonging to the Crassulaceae family, Crassula vaillantii shares many characteristics with its succulent relatives. These plants are renowned for their ability to retain water in arid landscapes, making them a popular choice for rock gardens and as ornamental plants in drought-prone areas.

The Southern water-stonecrop features small, fleshy leaves that exhibit a range of green hues, sometimes with a slight reddish tinge. These leaves often form dense mats or clusters, which can create visually appealing groundcover or highlight features in a watery landscape. The plant’s unique structure not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also plays a crucial role in its survival strategy by minimizing water loss in hot climates.

Whether it’s nestled alongside a Mediterranean stream, on the arid slopes of South Africa, or within a horticulturist’s curated collection, Crassula vaillantii continues to captivate plant enthusiasts with its subtle beauty and resilient nature. This plant provides a wonderful example of nature’s diversity and adaptability, standing as a living testament to the evolutionary artistry found within the Crassulaceae family.

Common Names

Deu: vaillant-dickblatt
En: Southern Water-stonecrop
Fr: Crassule de Vaillant, Bulliarde de Vaillant
De: Vaillant-Dickblatt
He: קרסולת השלולית
It: Erba grassa di Vaillant
: Southern water-stonecrop

Synonyms

• Elatine aetolica (Halácsy & Wettst.)
• Bulliarda vaillantii var. subulata (Harv.)
• Tillaea vaillantii (Willd.)
• Bulliarda pedunculata (St.-Lag.)
• Tillaea pedunculata (Willd.)
• Hydrophila vaillantii ((Willd.) House)
• Tillaeastrum vaillantii ((Willd.) Britton)
• Bulliarda rosea (Bubani)
• Bulliarda vaillantii ((Willd.) DC.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• France (native)
• Free State (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Lesotho (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Xinjiang (native)

Additional Images

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Flower

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 14, 2019 by Jaimes Sanchez Richard Leonardo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by jane Jane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 24, 2020 by Guillaume Labeyrie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 14, 2020 by Julien Vauchel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2022 by Player 3T6 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2018 by Karl Sassenberg (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by Vincent Van De Bor (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5689573)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:273566-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Crassula vaillantii (Willd.) Roth)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 3