- Crassula helmsii
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Crassula helmsii Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Genus: Crassula Species: C. helmsii Binomial name Crassula helmsii
(T.Kirk) CockayneContents
Common names
Swamp Stonecrop, New Zealand Pigmyweed
Synonyms
Tillaea recurva, Tillaea Helmsii, Crassula recurva
Origins
Originally found in Australia and New Zealand, it has been introduced around the world. In the UK it is considered an invasive species.
Description
The shoots are rather stiff, carrying narrow parallel-sided leaves in opposite pairs, each leaf being about 4-24mm. Small white flowers with four petals are produced in summer on long stalks arising from the upper leaf axils. The flowers are always above water.
Ecological aspects
The plant grows on the muddy margins of ponds where it forms carpets with 100% cover, or semi-submerged in deeper water, or totally submerged with elongated stems. It does not die back in winter.[1]
Cultivation
C. helmsii is able to grow fully submerged in a cool water aquarium or as a submersed or marginal plant in a pond. Once established it can grow vigorously and may need to be trimmed back. Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 lists this plant as one that cannot be caused to grow in the wild.
References
External links
- BioImages
- Status in N. Ireland includes an introduction on UK information
- Flora of N. Ireland - illustrated
- Close up of flower
- Ecological information
Categories:- Flora of New Zealand
- Saxifragales of Australia
- Flora of New South Wales
- Flora of Victoria (Australia)
- Flora of Tasmania
- Eudicots of Western Australia
- Flora of South Australia
- Invasive plant species
- Invasive plant species in Europe
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