Plant · GBIF taxon 7172747
Kerkei
Crassula tetragonaAlso known as Miniature Pine Tree, Four-Angled Crassula
Kerkei forms an upright succulent shrublet whose branching woody stems strongly resemble tiny conifer trees. Its cylindrical, pointed green leaves curve upward in strictly opposite, four-ranked ranks that maximize sunlight capture while minimizing moisture loss in harsh, arid terrain. During summer, terminal clusters of minute, cream-white star blossoms open to provide nectar for desert bees, flies, and other opportunistic pollinators.
SucculentDrought-TolerantArid Flora
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide
Predators
- Angulate Tortoise
- Domestic Goat
- Locusts
ThreatsOvergrazing by livestock, agricultural clearance, and prolonged severe droughts
HabitatsArid shrubland, succulent Karoo, dry river valleys, and rocky slopes
Life span10–25 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderSaxifragales
- FamilyCrassulaceae
- GenusCrassula
- SpeciesCrassula tetragona
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; keep potted specimens safely out of reach of domestic pets.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains unidentified saponins and compounds toxic to domestic dogs and cats, causing vomiting, lethargy, and slowed heart rate if chewed.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognizable by four distinct rows of upward-curving, awl-like fleshy leaves clothing woody, miniature-tree stems.
- What to do
- Grow out of reach of household pets, and wash hands after trimming or propagating stem cuttings.
Responsible observation
- Cultivation: Provide gritty, sharply draining cactus soil and full sun to keep branches compact and sturdy.
- Bonsai Shaping: Prune terminal tips in late spring to encourage dense side branching and tree-like form.
Frequent Companion (c) Shaun Swanepoel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Shaun Swanepoel · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Christiaan Viljoen, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo · cc-by-sa
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