Crassula connata

(Ruiz & Pavón) A. Berger et al.

in H. G. A. Engler, Nat. Pflanzenfam. ed. 2, 18a: 389. 1930,.

Common names: Sand pygmyweed
WeedyIllustrated
Basionym: Tillaea connata Ruiz & Pavón Fl. Peruv. 1: 70, plate 106, fig. a. 1798
Synonyms: Crassula connata var. erectoides M. Bywater & Wickens Crassula connata var. eremica (Jepson) M. Bywater & Wickens Crassula connata var. subsimplex (S. Watson) M. Bywater & Wickens Crassula erecta Tillaea erecta Tillaea leptopetala
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 8. Treatment on page 152. Mentioned on page 151, 195.

Plants terrestrial, annual. Stems erect, red in age, simple or bushy-branching, 2–6(–10) cm. Leaf blades ovate to oblong, 1–3(–6) mm, apex acute to rounded. Inflorescences often compact; flowers (1–)2 per node. Pedicels 0.2–6 mm. Flowers (3–)4[–5]-merous; sepals lanceolate, 0.5–2 mm, apex acute to acuminate; petals narrow-triangular, 0.6–1.5 mm. Follicles ascending, 1–2-seeded, ovoid; old follicles ascending, boat-shaped. Seeds ellipsoid, 0.3–0.6 × 0.1–0.3 mm, not papillate, dull, rugulose. 2n = ca. 16.


Phenology: Flowering spring.
Habitat: Open, gravelly places, on mossy rocks
Elevation: 0-1500 m

Distribution

V8 300-distribution-map.gif

B.C., Ariz., Calif., Oreg., Tex., Wash., Mexico, Central America (Guatemala), South America (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay).

Discussion

M. Bywater and G. E. Wickens (1984) proposed five varieties, four partly in the flora area, where they have largely overlapping ranges and overlapping characteristics. Further, some supposed differences probably result from local and year-to-year rainfall differences. Although probably having some genetic basis, these varieties seem too poorly defined to be useful (R. V. Moran 1992b).

S. L. Hatch et al. (1990) were first to report Crassula connata in Texas, from a 1968 collection (F. B. Jones 7292), suggesting that it may be a recent arrival there. It was first discovered in British Columbia and Washington in 1977 (A. Ceska and O. Ceska 1980) and is treated as a rare native species by the heritage program in British Columbia and the Washington Natural Heritage Program, where it has a habitat typical of other southern disjunct natives (A. Ceska, pers. comm.).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Crassula connata"
Reid V. Moran +
(Ruiz & Pavón) A. Berger et al. +
Tillaea connata +
Sand pygmyweed +
B.C. +, Ariz. +, Calif. +, Oreg. +, Tex. +, Wash. +, Mexico +, Central America (Guatemala) +, South America (Argentina +, Chile +  and Uruguay). +
0-1500 m +
Open, gravelly places, on mossy rocks +
Flowering spring. +
in H. G. A. Engler, Nat. Pflanzenfam. ed. +
Weedy +  and Illustrated +
Crassula connata var. erectoides +, Crassula connata var. eremica +, Crassula connata var. subsimplex +, Crassula erecta +, Tillaea erecta +  and Tillaea leptopetala +
Crassula connata +
Crassula +
species +