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smoothseed pygmyweed
Scientific Name: Crassula solierii
Family: Crassulaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Smooth-Seed Pygmyweed (Crassula solieri)
This page provides information about the plant known as Smooth-Seed Pygmyweed.
Considerations for Pets
- Several related species of Crassula are commonly found in homes and gardens (e.g., Australian Swamp Stonecrop/Crassula helmsii, New Zealand Pygmyweed/Crassula helmsii).
- The leaves of some related Crassula species are thick, shiny, and grow in opposing pairs.
Scientific Name and Common Names
- Scientific Name: Crassula solieri (Gay) F. Meigen
- Common Name: Smooth-Seed Pygmyweed
- Other names include: Pygmy-weed
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Synonyms:
- Crassula solierii (Gray) Meigen
- Crassula drummondii (Torr. & Gray) Fedde (small leaf pygmyweed)
- Crassula longipes (Rose) Bywater & Wickens (small seed pygmyweed)
- Symbol: CRSO4
Distribution and Habitat
- Widely distributed across Eurasia and North America.
- Found on open shorelines of freshwater.
- Known from a few locations in Newfoundland.
Ecological Role
- Crassula helmsii (New Zealand Pygmyweed) is noted as an invasive species. Control measures may be needed to prevent its spread and dominance.
Morphological Characteristics
- Minute annual plant that relies on seed bank for perpetuation.
- Fruits are follicles containing 2-5 elliptical and smooth seeds approximately 0.5mm long.
- Stems of some related species, such as Crassula helmsii, are smooth and hairless, growing up to 2m long.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Smooth newts lay eggs on Crassula helmsii.
- Provides seeds which are consumed by ducks.
Additional Information
- Crassula derives from the Latin "crassus", meaning "thick", and "-ula", meaning diminutive, alluding to the plant's leaves.