Red Crassula

Red crassula is a succulent shrublet native to the southwestern Cape of South Africa. SANBI describes plants 30–60 cm tall, with crowded fleshy leaves and flat clusters of fragrant brilliant red tubular flowers in summer. Older stems become dry and brown, so remove dead material and maintain suitable clearance. In nature it grows on rocky sandstone slopes and in crevices; provide excellent drainage and check local climate and watering guidance for the site. Cape Town explicitly names Crassula coccinea in its succulent groundcover barrier table, and Western Cape firewise guidance also names red crassula. Barrier use depends on placement and ongoing maintenance; no plant is fireproof. Kew lists Rochea coccinea as a synonym. Sources: https://pza.sanbi.org/crassula-coccinea ; https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:273040-1 ; https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2C%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Ukuvuka%20Veldfire%20Related%20Planning%20Guidelines%202004-04-29.pdf ; https://www.capenature.co.za/uploads/files/WCG-Wild-Fire-Ready-Booklet.pdf ## Cape Town — 2004 barrier table scope and maintenance The [Cape Town veldfire planning guidelines](https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2C%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Ukuvuka%20Veldfire%20Related%20Planning%20Guidelines%202004-04-29.pdf), Annexure 1, section 3.3, include the following source entry or entries: Table 4 (Groundcovers): “Crassula coccinea”. Exact source taxon or documented synonym; source category and conditions apply. The city's PDF timed out during this audit; these table cells and adjacent conditions were checked in the [indexed copy of the same April 2004 document](https://www.scribd.com/document/790764685/Ukuvuka-Veldfire-Related-Planning-Guidelines-2004-04-29). This records that historical source's guidance; check current local requirements and suitability before use. General source conditions: use broad-leaved, moisture-rich plants as potential screens at the fireward property edge; maintain an easy-to-walk-through garden and leaf litter no more than 15 mm deep. Avoid flammable plants under decks, against walls/wooden pillars or in hanging baskets. Remove accumulated garden refuse and dead material. No source listing guarantees survival or prevents all burning. Groundcover barriers are intended to remain low and reduce the passage of flames through the garden. Succulent leaf moisture helps, but persistent dead aloe leaves must be removed. Remove dry seasonal stems, especially on annual species; keep adjacent lawn short and avoid a continuous grass route from the boundary to the house. The broad “other prostrate ground covers” row remains unassigned and does not designate all groundcovers.