Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Saxifragales Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Crassulaceae
Genus
Crassula L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Crassula multicaulis (Petrie) A.P.Druce & Given, New Zealand J. Bot. 22: 583 (1984)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Tillaea multicaulis Petrie, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 19: 324 (1887)
 Description

Small annual or sometimes perennial herb forming small to large moss-like mats; stems ± decumbent, rooting at nodes, freely branching from base, ascending to c. 3 cm towards tips. Lvs connate at base, 1–2.4 × 0.6–0.7 mm, 0.3–0.35 mm thick, ± triangular-lanceolate, flattened above, strongly convex and somewhat keeled below; apex acute or apiculate. Fls solitary in upper lf axils, star-like, 4-merous, 3.5–4 mm diam.; pedicels to c. 2 mm long, elongating to 3–(4) mm at fruiting. Calyx lobes 0.5–0.8 × 0.5–0.6 mm, triangular, acute to apiculate. Petals 1.6–1.8 × c. 1.2 mm, broadly elliptic-ovate, white, sometimes pink in centre, rounded, much > calyx. Scales c. 0.7 mm long, oblanceolate. Follicles smooth. Seed c. 0.5 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Jan.–Mar.

 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Hitchmough, R.; Townsend, A.J. 2009: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand (2008 revision). New Zealand Journal of Botany 47: 61–96. [Nationally Critical]
de Lange, P.J.; Norton, D.A.; Heenan, P.B.; Courtney, S.P.; Molloy, B.P.J.; Ogle, C.C.; Rance, B.D. 2004: Threatened and uncommon plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42(1): 45–76.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Nationally Endangered]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Nationally Endangered]
Druce, A.P.; Given, D. R. 1984: New combinations in New Zealand Crassula (Crassulaceae). New Zealand Journal of Botany 22: 583–583.
Petrie, D. 1887 ("1886"): Descriptions of new Native Plants. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 19: 323–324.