Crassulaceae

Plant Sex: Flowers usually bisexual

Flowers: Actinomorphic. Sepals free or connate. Petals free or connate. Stamens free or adnate to corolla Carpels free or united at base

Inflorescence: Cymes

Fruits: Follicles

Habit: Often succulent herbs, some annual and perennial herbs and shrubs

Leaves: Simple, alternate, opposite or whorled, no stipules

Examples:
Crassula (jade plants, etc.)

Habit of C. arborescens from South Africa
Inflorescence of the jade plant, C. argentea
Flower, face view of the jade plant, C. argentea
Flower, petal removed, side view of the jade plant, C. argentea.
Habit of C. rupestris (the pagoda plants) growing in its native environment in South Africa. Another photo.

Kalanchoe (living leaves)

Flowering shoots of K. blossfeldiana
Dichasium of K. marmorata
Flower L.S. of K. marmorata
K. tubiflora leaf showing plantlets at apex with adventitious roots
K. daigremontiana leaf showing plantlets along margin

Sedum (stonecrop)

Habit of S. pulchellum, a native S. Illinois species
Inflorescence of S. pulchellum
S. morganianum, the burro's tail.
S. reflexum being visited by a honeybee

Aeonium

A striking ornamental, A. arboreum, with nearly black leaves
Close-up of flowers of Aeonium sp. cultivated at Missouri Botanical Garden.

Echeveria

E. elegans, habit of plants with flowering scapes from rosettes

Cotyledon

C. farinosa, habit of plant in flower.
Habit of C. orbiculata and closer view of flowers; native to South Africa.

SIUC / College of Science / Elements of Plant Systematics
URL: http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/PLB304/Lecture15Saxif/Crassulaceae.html
Last updated: 17-Mar-08 / dln