Crassula capitella
Crassula capitella, commonly known as Campionella or Campionella Crassula, is a resilient succulent native to South Africa. Often utilized in traditional herbal practices, this plant is valued for its unique structural beauty and potential medicinal properties. Its fleshy leaves and compact growth make it a fascinating subject for botanical study.
- Scientific name: Crassula capitella
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Saxifragales, it is classified under the family Crassulaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Crassula.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Saxifragales | WCVP |
| Family | Crassulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Crassula | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Crassula capitella, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Arabic, it is called كرسول صغير الرأس (ar) or alternatively كرسول صغير الراس (arz). In Chinese, it is recognized through several distinct names, including 荐塔 (zh), 火祭 (zh), and 高千穗 (zh).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | كرسول صغير الرأس | Wikidata |
| arz | كرسول صغير الراس | Wikidata |
| zh | 荐塔 | Wikidata |
| zh | 火祭 | Wikidata |
| zh | 高千穗 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily found throughout the diverse landscapes of Southern Africa. Its natural range extends across the various Cape Provinces, where it adapts to specific local climates. Additionally, it can be located in the mountainous terrains of Lesotho. The species also inhabits regions within Namibia, demonstrating its ability to thrive in different environments. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the inland areas of the Free State and the coastal reaches of KwaZulu-Natal.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Lesotho | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Namibia | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Free State | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Crassula capitella, is characterized primarily by its fleshy, succulent leaves which serve as the most distinctive part of its anatomy. These leaves are typically arranged in dense, crowded clusters at the tips of the stems, often exhibiting a deep reddish or bronze pigmentation when exposed to ample sunlight. Beyond their visual appeal, the leaves function as vital storage organs, holding moisture to help the plant thrive in arid environments.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Crassula capitella has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulin, betulinaldehyde, fatty acids, lupeol, terpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| betulin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| betulinaldehyde | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Crassula capitella has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Crassula capitella has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, antioxidant, rheumatoid arthritis.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatoid arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |