Crassulaceae
Scientific classification
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The Crassulaceae, or orpines, are a family of dicotyledons. They store water in their succulent leaves.
Some older classifications included the Crassulaceae in the Rosales but newer schemes remove them to the order Saxifragales.
CAM photosynthesis (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) is named after the Crassulaceae, because the pathway was first discovered in crassulacean plants.
Two typical members of the Crassulaceae: In their thick, succulent leaves they store water. Left:Sempervivum heuffelii, type from Romania, in cultivation. Photo: Manuel Werner. Germany
Beneath, right: Crassula ovata from southern Africa, the so called "money tree" or "Jade plant".
