Crassula lanuginosa aka Dragon Tongue

Crassula lanuginosa Harv. is a succulent perennial belonging to the family Crassulaceae, described by botanist William Henry Harvey in 1862 and first published in Flora Capensis (Harv. & Sond., vol. 2, p. 347). It is native to southern Africa, with its primary range concentrated in the Eastern Cape Province and KwaZulu-Natal of South Africa and extending into Lesotho. Like other members of the large Crassula genus — which encompasses approximately 200 accepted species — Crassula lanuginosa is a succulent plant adapted to the seasonal conditions of the Cape region.

Two varieties are recognized within the species: the nominate Crassula lanuginosa var. lanuginosa and Crassula lanuginosa var. pachystemon (Schönland & Baker fil.) Toelken, formally published in 1975. The species name "lanuginosa" derives from the Latin "lanugo" (soft woolly hair), describing the characteristic pubescence of the plant's surface that distinguishes it from related species.

The species is represented in GBIF by 174 georeferenced occurrence records, the vast majority from South Africa, with isolated records from Lesotho and managed/cultivated occurrences in Brazil. Synonyms recorded in the scientific literature include Crassula strigosa Drège ex Harv., Crassula strigosa E.Mey., and Crassula strigosa E.Mey. ex Drège.

As a member of the Crassula genus, Crassula lanuginosa is typically propagated vegetatively via stem or leaf cuttings, which is the standard horticultural practice for most Crassula species. The genus is generally hardy to mild frosts but sensitive to extreme cold or heat.