Crassula subaphylla var. subaphylla

Crassula subaphylla var. subaphylla, sometimes in Afrikaans referred to as louhout (tepid wood), is a sprawling or erect shrublet growing to 80 cm in height, although not often seen that tall. The plant branches much and may scramble a little where support is available. The wiry stems are covered in the tiniest of hairs; so are the leaves, although occasionally hairless. 

The opposite leaf pairs are spaced along the sinuous stems, the leaves oblong or lanceolate with pointed or rounded tips and angular or rounded margins. Successive leaf pairs grow at right angles to each other and to the stems in decussate fashion, sometimes curving in slightly, or sag as in the photo. Leaf colours include green or olive green, yellow, pinkish red or orange, especially along the margins; sometimes there is a little brown and more.

Small, flat-topped clusters of tiny, creamy white flowers are produced in spring to midsummer.

The species distribution is in the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape, as well as in the Free State. This one was stumbled upon in the veld near Robertson during autumn.

The habitat is often sandy soils in arid and semi-arid places. The other variety of the species, C. subaphylla var. virgata, is limited to a Namaqualand distribution. Neither variety is considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; JSTOR; iSpot; www.redlist.sanbi.org).