Fauna
Plant

Kerkei

Crassula tetragona

Also 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
Kerkei reference1 / 7
(c) kevin koen, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, 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
Classification
  1. OrderSaxifragales
  2. FamilyCrassulaceae
  3. GenusCrassula
  4. SpeciesCrassula tetragona
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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