Crassula capitella

{{Short description|Species of succulent}} {{Speciesbox |name = Campfire Plant |image = Crassula capitella - CT 5.jpg |image_caption = ''Crassula capitella'' |status= |status_system= |genus = Crassula |species = capitella |authority = Thunb., 1778<ref name=SFOSA/> }}

'''''Crassula capitella''','' ('''red flames''', '''red pagoda''' or '''campfire plant''') is a perennial succulent plant native to southern Africa.

An extremely variable species. The narrow, pointed, splayed ("propeller-like"<ref>[http://pza.sanbi.org/crassula-capitella ''Crassula capitella'' - PlantZAfrica.com]</ref>) leaves are initially a light green, but become a strong reddish colour in the sun.<ref name=SCG>{{cite book|last=Baldwin|first=Debra Lee|title=Succulent Container Gardens|date=2010|publisher=Timber Press|isbn=9780881929591|page=[https://archive.org/details/succulentcontain0000bald/page/92 92]|url=https://archive.org/details/succulentcontain0000bald|url-access=registration|quote=crassula capitella.}}</ref>

The leaves are stacked, and near the base of the rosette they are larger. Near the top of a rosette, the leaves gradually get smaller and change into floral bracts, as the stem forms a long, pointed inflorescence.<ref>G.Rowley (2003): ''Crassula: a grower’s guide.'' Cactus & Co, libri. Italy.</ref>

It is a small, succulent herb (15–40 cm in height) - with stems that are either erect or rambling and mat-forming. Each stem forms roots at its internodes, which take root if the stem lies against the ground.

''C.capitella'' is mostly biennial, blooming in the summer, with small, white, star-shaped flowers forming all around each thick, upright stem. <ref name=SFOSA>{{cite book|last=Court|first=Doreen|title=Succulent Flora of Southern Africa|date=2000|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=9789058093233|page=84|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W6ZfOBb-QdsC&dq=crassula+capitella&pg=PA289}}</ref><ref name="smgrowers"/> It grows to a height of about 6 inches tall, and will be damaged when exposed to temperatures below {{convert|30|°F|°C}}.<ref name="smgrowers">[http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?strSearchText=Crassula%20capitella&plant_id=461 San Marcos Growers: ''Crassula capitella'' '''Campfire''' (Campfire Crassula)] . accessed 5.7.2013</ref>

==Cultivation== ''Crassula capitella'' prefer full sun to partial shade, with average watering needs, and it should not be exposed to temperatures below {{convert|30|°F|°C}}.<ref name="smgrowers"/><ref name=davesgarden>{{cite web|title=PlantFiles: Crassula Crassula capitella 'Campfire'|url=http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/64297/|work=davesgarden.com|accessdate=13 March 2014}}</ref> It may suffer from foliage edema, which may be the result of rapid changes in moisture.<ref name="smgrowers"/>

==Distribution== ''Crassula capitella'' is native to southern Africa; it is found in Transvaal, Free State, Eastern Cape, and in some parts of southern Namibia and Botswana.<ref name=SFOSA/>

==Subspecies== *''Crassula capitella'' subsp. '''''capitella''''': biennial basal rosette with smooth (hairless) stems and unbranched spike inflorescence.<ref name=SFOSA/> Found in Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and Ladismith, Western Cape, South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crassula capitella |url=https://worldofsucculents.com/crassula-capitella/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=WorldofSucculents.com}}</ref> *''Crassula capitella'' subsp. '''''enantiophylla'''''<ref name=SFOSA/> *''Crassula capitella'' subsp. '''''meyeri''''': a decumbent subspecies from the sandy coastline of KwaZulu-Natal.<ref name=SFOSA/> *''Crassula capitella'' subsp. '''''nodulosa''''': a perennial green shrub with one or two rosettes on hairy stems, with scattered reddish blotches and vertical flower spikes.<ref name=SFOSA/> Found in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Crassula capitella subspecies nodulosa |url=https://worldofsucculents.com/crassula-capitella-nodulosa/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=WorldofSucculents.com}}</ref> in grassland habitats with scattered, gravelly slopes or ''kopje'' formations (inselbergs).<ref name=":1" /> *''Crassula capitella'' subsp. '''''sessilicymula''''': a perennial shrub (40 cm) with a woody trunk and branched inflorescence.<ref name=SFOSA/> Found in Gauteng and Limpopo (South Africa).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crassula capitella subspecies sessilicymula |url=https://worldofsucculents.com/crassula-capitella-sessilicymula/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=WorldofSucculents.com}}</ref> *''Crassula capitella'' subsp. '''''thyrsiflora''''': a low perennial shrub with multiple pinkish-red rosettes that become stacked in a 'pagoda'-like form (vars. 'Pagoda Village', 'Red Pagoda', 'Red Shark Tooth'), with an unbranched spike inflorescence. From the Western Cape.<ref name=SFOSA/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Crassula capitella subspecies thyrsiflora |url=https://worldofsucculents.com/crassula-capitella-subsp-thyrsiflora-pagoda-village-red-pagoda/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=WorldofSucculents.com}}</ref> *''Crassula capitella'' subsp. '''''corymbulosa''''':<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldofsucculents.com/crassula-capitella-subsp-thyrsiflora-pagoda-village-red-pagoda/|title=Crassula capitella subsp. thyrsiflora - Red Pagoda {{!}} World of Succulents|date=2014-02-16|work=World of Succulents|access-date=2018-02-17|language=en-US}}</ref> synonymous with ''C. capitella'' ssp. ''thyrsiflora'',<ref name=":0" /> it is essentially an all-green form of the species. This form may sunburn easily in exposed, sunny locations and prefers dappled shade or bright indirect light to look its best. Often marketed as ''Crassula corymbulosa'' 'Shark Tooth' or 'Green Shark Tooth'.<ref name=":0" />

==References== {{Commons category}} {{Wikispecies}} {{Reflist}}

capitella Category:Plants described in 1778 Category:Flora of South Africa Category:Garden plants of Southern Africa