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Concertina Plant
Crassula perforata
SA tree number
English: Concertina Plant, String of Buttons, Necklace Vine, Pagoda Plant
Afrikaans: Sosatieplakkie, Sosatiesbossie, Sosaties, Konsertinabossie, Touplakkie
Historical scientific names: Crassula anomala, Crassula anthurus, Crassula conjuncta, Crassula nealeana, Crassula pattersoniae, Crassula perfilata, Crassula perfossa
Crassula perforata, commonly known as Concertina Plant or Sosaties, is a charming indigenous evergreen succulent perennial. It is highly valued for its unique growth habit, forming long, upright or trailing stems densely strung with tightly overlapping, triangular or rounded leaves, giving it a distinctive 'button' or 'necklace' appearance. It also produces delicate clusters of small, star-shaped yellow-green flowers, making it a popular and versatile ornamental plant for containers and rockeries.
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Distinguishing features:
Leaves are thick, fleshy, triangular to rounded, and have a unique way of being joined at the base, making the stem appear to pass through them (perfoliate).
Leaves are arranged in opposite, tightly overlapping pairs along the stems, forming a distinctive 'string of buttons' or 'necklace' look.
Foliage is typically green but can develop reddish or purplish margins, especially in bright sun.
Stems can be upright, sprawling, or trailing.
Flowers are small, star-shaped, and pale yellow-green to creamy-white, borne in terminal clusters.
Overall appearance:
The Concertina Plant (Crassula perforata) is an enchanting succulent that instantly catches the eye with its truly unique growth form. Its stems are like delicate necklaces, adorned with tightly packed, overlapping, fleshy leaves that appear to be threaded onto the stem. These leaves can be a beautiful green, often edged with red, creating a charming and textural plant that is perfect for hanging baskets or spilling over the edges of pots and rockeries.
Height:
Typically grows 15 to 40 centimetres tall in an upright form; trailing forms can extend up to 60-90 centimetres or more.
Width:
Forms a clump, usually 10 to 30 centimetres wide, with stems sprawling or trailing outwards.
Leaves:
The leaves are opposite, very thick, fleshy, and somewhat triangular to rounded, measuring 1-2.5 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. They are connate-perfoliate at the base, meaning they are fused around the stem, so the stem appears to grow through them. The leaves are typically a light to mid-green, often developing reddish or purplish margins and tips when exposed to strong sunlight or cooler temperatures. They are arranged in tightly overlapping pairs, creating a segmented or "string of buttons" effect along the stem. The surface can be smooth or slightly powdery.
Flowers:
The flowers are very small (about 3-4 mm in diameter), star-shaped, with four slender petals. They are pale yellow-green to creamy-white and are borne in elongated, slender, terminal clusters (thyrsoid cymes or racemes) atop short, erect flower stalks that arise from the stem tips. The flowers are generally inconspicuous individually but appear in charming sprays. Crassula perforata flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive parts.
Flowering season:
It primarily flowers in summer (around December to February), but can flower sporadically at other times.
Fruits:
The fruit is a small, dry, dehiscent capsule formed from the base of the flower. When mature, it splits open to release the tiny seeds.
Seeds:
The seeds are very small and fine. They are dispersed by wind.
Stems:
The stems are slender, fleshy, and green when young, becoming tougher and slightly woody with a reddish-brown tinge at the base on older plants. They can grow upright, sprawl along the ground, or trail over container edges.
Thorns:
None.
Roots:
It has a fibrous and relatively shallow root system. It can root along its stems where they touch the ground, allowing it to spread.
Soil type:
Requires very well-drained, gritty, or sandy soil. It is extremely intolerant of prolonged moisture or heavy, waterlogged soils, which will quickly lead to root rot. A succulent or cactus potting mix is essential.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Full sun encourages more compact growth and intense reddish leaf margins. It is highly drought-tolerant and very wind-resistant, making it excellent for exposed positions. It is moderately frost-tolerant; established plants can survive light frosts if kept dry, but require protection from severe or prolonged frost.
Ediblity:
Not considered edible for humans.
Toxicity:
Like other Crassula species, Crassula perforata contains cardiac glycosides and is considered toxic if ingested. While specific toxicity data might be limited for this species, it is generally best to assume all parts are toxic. Ingestion can cause digestive upset and potentially more severe symptoms in humans and animals. It is important to keep this plant away from children and pets.
Uses:
An exceptionally popular and highly recommended indigenous succulent for ornamental use. It is excellent for hanging baskets, rockeries, succulent gardens, xeriscaping, and as a 'spiller' in mixed container arrangements. Its unique form and ease of propagation make it a favourite for both beginner and experienced succulent enthusiasts.
Ecology:
The small, pale flowers attract various small insect pollinators. The plant's succulent nature allows it to thrive in arid environments, storing water in its fleshy leaves. Its ability to sprawl and root along stems allows it to colonise rocky crevices and slopes.
Distribution and habitat:
Crassula perforata is indigenous to South Africa, primarily found in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, extending northwards into Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Its range also extends into neighbouring countries such as Namibia. It typically grows on rocky slopes, in thicket vegetation, and on cliff faces, often in exposed, arid conditions, from coastal regions to inland areas.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Crassula comes from the Latin word 'crassus', meaning 'thick' or 'fat', referring to the fleshy, succulent leaves of plants in this genus.
The species epithet perforata is Latin for 'perforated', referring to the appearance of the leaves being 'perforated' or pierced by the stem due to their connate-perfoliate arrangement.
The common name "String of Buttons" vividly describes the appearance of the stems and leaves.
"Necklace Vine" is another apt description.
"Sosatieplakkie" (Afrikaans) refers to the plant's resemblance to the structure of a sosatie, a traditional South African skewer dish similar to a kebab.
"Touplakkie" (Afrikaans) translates to "String Succulent."
Historical aspects:
Crassula perforata has long been a favourite in horticulture due to its unusual and highly decorative growth habit. Its resilience and ease of propagation have contributed to its widespread cultivation in succulent collections and gardens worldwide. It remains a classic example of the diverse and fascinating forms found within the South African succulent flora.
Interesting facts:
This plant's name "String of Buttons" is perfect because its leaves are tightly stacked along the stem like beads on a necklace!
If you look closely, you'll see the leaves are actually joined at the base, making it look like the stem is growing right through them – super cool!
It's a fantastic "spiller" plant, meaning its stems love to cascade over the edge of pots or rockeries, creating a beautiful trailing effect.
Give it a bit of sun stress, and its green leaves will develop lovely reddish or purplish edges, adding extra colour!
Growing tips:
Propagation: Very easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Simply snip a piece of stem, allow the cut end to dry and form a callus for a few days, then plant in well-drained succulent mix.
Light: Prefers full sun to bright, partial shade. Full sun enhances leaf colouration.
Watering: As a succulent, it needs very little water. Water thoroughly but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Reduce watering significantly in winter. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems.
Soil: Use an extremely well-draining succulent or cactus mix. Good drainage is crucial.
Container: Excellent for hanging baskets, pots, rockeries, and as a groundcover in arid garden beds.
Maintenance: Very low maintenance. Prune to encourage bushiness or to manage length.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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