Where does the botanical name for a Crassula and the species within this genus come from?

A translation of the Latin names given to the Crassula plant.

Behind every Latin plant name, is a meaning (I discuss the way we name plants more here), and today I am going to examine the naming of Crassulas, in particular.

Crassula is a genus of succulent plants, which includes hundreds of species, including the popular jade plant - otherwise known as Crassula ovata (of which there are a number of named cultivars). In the UK, most of them are grown as houseplants, but in warmer countries, they can grow outside and some can get much bigger.

They are amazing plants, all quite fascinating and many look nothing alike. They're evergreen, low-maintenance and make great talking points.

Let’s start with the genus - Crassula

The name Crassula means “thick” or “fat” - this refers to the thick, fleshy nature of the plants in this genus.

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Crassula species and their names

As I have mentioned, there are many species of the Crassula. Perhaps the most well known species is the Crassula ovata (the Jade Plant, Lucky Plant, Money Plant or Money Tree). In regards to this species ovata means “ovate” or “egg-shaped” - which refers to the shape of its leaves. The species or specific epithet often helps you to understand more about the species.

Let’s look at some of the other named species, and see what their names tell us about them:

• Crassula arborescens - arboresens comes from the Latin “arbor” which means “tree” and refers to its similarity to a tree.
• Common names: Silver Dollar Plant, Silver Jade Plant, Money Plant, Money Tree, Chinese Jade, Beestebul.
• Crassula elegans - elegans means “elegant”.
• Common name: Elegant Crassula.
• Crassula orbicularis - orbicularis comes from the Latin “orbis” meaning “circle” or “disc” and refers to the shape of its leaves.
• Common name: Stonecrop.
• Crassula spathulata - spathulata comes from the Latin “spathulatus” which means “spatula-shaped” - refering to the shape of its leaves.
• Common name: Spatula-leaf Crassula.
• Crassula rupestris - rupestris means “rocky” or “found in/on rocks”, and refers to the environment it grows in.
• Common names: Rosary Vine, Kebab Bush, Rock Crassula, Concertina Plant, Bead Vine, Buttons on a String.
• Crassula pubescens - pubescens means “covered with downy hairs”, because it is!
• Common name: Jersey Pigmyweed.
• Crassula multicava - multicava means “many caves”, which refers to the tiny pores/pits on the leaves.
• Common name: Fairy Crassula.
• Crassula columnaris - columnaris means “column-like” which references the way it grows (upright, erect stem with a tapering body).
• Common names: Khaki Button, Upright Crassula, Scent Bottle.
• Crassula perforata - perforata means “perforated”, which references the ways the leaves are arranged along the stems with gaps, or perforations, between them.
• Common names: String of Buttons, Necklace Vine.
• Crassula muscosa - muscosa means “mossy”, which refers to its mossy look. It is also sometimes referred to as Crassula lycopodioides (because of its likeness to clubmoss/Lycopodium).
• Common names: Watch Chain, Princess Pine, Clubmoss Crassula, Zipper Plant, Rattail Crassula.
• Crassula pellucida - pellucida from the Latin “lucida” or “lucidus” which means “bright” referring to it’s bright colours (seen in cultivars such as ‘Calico Kitten’).
• Crassula hirtipes - hirtipes comes from the Latin word “hirtus” which means “hairy” and “pes” which means “foot” - its got hairy feet (or stalks!).
• Common name: Hedgehog Stonecrop.
• Crassula ammophila - ammophila comes from the Greek word “ámmos” which means “sand” and “philos” which means “loving”. Sand-loving, refers to the growing environment it likes.
• Crassula pyramidalis - pyramdalis means “pyramidal” which refers to its shape.
• Common names: Pyramid Crassula, Pagoda Mini Jade.
• Crassula corallina - corallina derives from the Latin “corrallium” which means “coral”, and means “coral-like” - which refers its coral-like appearance.
• Common name: Coral Crassula.
• Crassula mesembryanthoides - mesembryanthoides means “looking like a mesembryanthemum”, because it does!
• Common name: Crassula Moon Glow.
• Crassula capensis - capensis means “from the Cape” and refers to where it comes from.
• Common name: Cape Snowdrop.

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Take a look at my “how to” Crassula care guide here or buy my Crassula Identification Print from my shop.