Jade plant, Stone crop
Crassula ovata

Family: Crassulaceae

What it is like

A succulent bush or tree. It grows up to 4.5 m tall. The trunk is thick and silvery brown. The twigs are thick and silvery. These thick rubbery branches are easily broken. The leaves are fleshy and without stalks. They are short and broad and carried in opposite pairs. Each pair is arranged at right angles to the next. The flowers are small, pink and star shaped. They occur in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit are small capsules with many very small seeds.

There are 216 succulent Crassula species. There are also other Crassula species. There are 300 total.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows on rocky hillsides. It can grow in an average to poor, well-drained soil. It can grow in dry soils. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-11. Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Canary Islands, East Africa, Eswatini, Hawaii, Indonesia, Mozambique, North America, Pacific, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Spain, St Helena, Swaziland, USA, Zambia

How it is used for food

The roots have been eaten by Hottentots. They are grated, cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Root, tubers

How it is grown

They are easily grown from seed, or cuttings. Seeds are very small. The cuttings need to be kept fairly dry to prevent rots.

Its other names

Local names

Afriška tolstica, Baby jade, Dollar plant, Friendship tree, Japanese rubber-tree, Karekey, Karka, Karkey, Kerky, Pink joy, Sukulen persahabatan, Thlakeni, Umxhalagube

Synonyms

Cotyledon ovata Miller; Crassula portulacea Lamarck; Crassula argentea Thunberg; Crassula nitida Schonl.; Crassula obliqua Solando; and others