Crassulaceae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crassulaceae |
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| Jade plant or Friendship Tree, Crassula ovata | |
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Crassulaceae
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many, see text |
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The Crassulaceae, also known as the orpine family, is a group of flowering plants. These plants are special because they store water in their thick, fleshy leaves. This helps them survive in places where water is hard to find.
You can find Crassulaceae plants all over the world. They are most common in the Northern Hemisphere and southern Africa. They usually grow in dry or cold areas, like deserts or rocky mountains. There are about 1,400 different kinds of these plants, belonging to 33 main groups called genera.
Contents
What are Succulents?
Crassulaceae plants are known as succulents. This means they have special parts that store water. Their leaves are often thick and juicy, like little water balloons. This helps them live in places with very little rain.
How They Store Water
Succulents have a unique way of saving water. They have a waxy coating on their leaves that stops water from evaporating. They also have a special type of photosynthesis called CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism). This lets them open tiny pores on their leaves at night to take in carbon dioxide. During the day, when it's hot, they keep these pores closed to save water.
Where They Grow
These plants are very tough and can grow in many different environments.
- Dry Areas: Many Crassulaceae live in deserts or semi-deserts. Their water-storing leaves are perfect for these dry places.
- Rocky Places: You often see them growing on rocks or cliffs. Their roots can find small cracks to hold onto.
- Cold Areas: Some types can even survive in cold, frosty regions. They might go dormant (sleep) in winter.
Common Crassulaceae Plants
You might know some plants from this family without even realizing it!
- Jade Plant (Crassula ovata): This is a very popular houseplant. It has shiny, oval-shaped leaves and looks like a small tree.
- Sedum (Stonecrop): There are many types of Sedum. They often have small, star-shaped flowers and grow in mats. They are great for rock gardens.
- Echeveria: These plants form beautiful rosettes of leaves, often in shades of green, blue, or pink. They are very popular in succulent gardens.
- Kalanchoe: Many Kalanchoe plants are grown for their bright, long-lasting flowers. Some types, like the "Mother of Thousands," produce tiny plantlets on their leaf edges.
Images for kids
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Crassula helmsii growing in wetland
See also
In Spanish: Crassulaceae para niños
