Greek kotule — cup, referring to the cup-like leaves of the genus Umbilicus, once part of this genus.

Perennial soft-wooded shrubs. Leaves opposite, in terminal clusters. Flower clusters of several branches. Flowers well above the leaves, 5-parted. Sepals united, fleshy. Petals united into a tube, the lobes bent back. Stamens in 2 whorls of unequal length, fused to the tube. Carpels slightly united at the base.

Some cultivated segregate species are now placed in the genus Tylecodon.

Key based on Toelken (1985).

9 species from S and tropical E Africa, SW Arabia.

Seed, cuttings, or detached leaves which form plantlets at the break point.

Opposite persistent leaves; flowers 5-parted, pendulous, tubular.

Toelken (1978, 1985).

Source: Stajsic, V.; Spencer, R.; Forster, P.; Thompson, A. (2002). Crassulaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.