Non-toxic Cotyledon species look-alike plants

Abstract

Crassula arborescens: Distribution: Usually to be found on dry rocky hillsides in karroid scrubland. Botanical description:General: Usually a shrub, 1-2 m, but can also grow up to 3 m tall. Bark smooth, succulent, grey-green. Leaves: Opposite, decussate, succulent. More or less round with a waxy bloom. The margins are often rimmed with red. Flowers: Masses of small, star-like, white to pink flowers. November to January.

Portulacaria afra: Distribution: Usually to be found in dry areas and bushveld, often in rocky places. Dominant in the "Spekboomveld" area of the Eastern Cape. Also in Kwazulu-Natal and Swaziland on hot dry slopes, valleys and flats. Botanical description: General: Sometimes a low mat, or a robust succulent shrub up to 5m tall, often growing in communities. It has thick brittle branches and red twigs. A notable fodder tree. Leaves: Opposite, decussate, elliptic to round. Juicy, somewhat acid. Fresh green to pale grey. Flowers: Masses of small, star-like, pale pink to purplish flowers on short terminal twigs. They develop into small 3-winged fruits.