Crassulaceae is pronounced krass-yoo-LAY-see-eye (five syllables, stress on the third).
IPA: /ˌkræs.jʊˈleɪ.siː.aɪ/
This is the standard botanical English pronunciation. The final -ae sounds like "eye," following the convention used across plant family names (Rosaceae, Liliaceae, Asteraceae).
Part of the Complete Crassula Guide.
Syllable Breakdown
- krass — rhymes with grass.
- yoo — as in you.
- LAY — stressed, as in lay.
- see — as in see.
- eye — as in eye.
Written phonetically: krass-yoo-LAY-see-eye.
Alternative Pronunciations
Two variants are widely heard and both are defensible, depending on which Latin tradition you follow.
- Reconstructed classical Latin: /kras.sʊˈlaː.ke.ae̯/, roughly "krass-oo-LAH-keh-eye." Uses hard-C for c and a long a in the stressed syllable. This is the pronunciation sometimes heard in European academic contexts, particularly in Germany and Italy.
- Traditional English (botanical) Latin: /ˌkræs.jʊˈleɪ.siː.aɪ/, "krass-yoo-LAY-see-eye." Uses soft-C before e and i, and anglicised vowel qualities. This is the pronunciation used in most English-language horticultural and botanical publications.
Both are acceptable. The traditional English pronunciation is what you will hear at a British Cactus & Succulent Society meeting or a Kew lecture; the classical reconstruction is more common in mainland European universities.
Common Mispronunciations
- "krass-YOO-lay-see-ay" — rhyming the ending with hay. Incorrect under the standard botanical English convention, which treats -ae as "eye."
- "KRASS-yoo-lay-see-ay" — stress on the first syllable. Stress should fall on LAY.
- "krass-oo-LAY-see-ee" — rhyming the ending with see. Mixes two conventions; not standard under either.
The Family
Crassulaceae is the plant family that includes Crassula, Sedum, Echeveria, Sempervivum, Kalanchoe, Aeonium, Graptopetalum, and about 30 other succulent and near-succulent genera. The family name is built on Crassula L., with the Latin family suffix -aceae.
The family is scientifically important as the namesake of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), the water-efficient photosynthetic pathway used by nearly all the major succulent plant groups. For the pronunciation of the adjective crassulacean itself (without the -ae ending), see the crassulacean pronunciation guide.
See also
- The Complete Crassula Guide — for the family's place in botanical taxonomy and CAM physiology.
- Crassulacean: How to Say It — the related adjective form.
- Crassula ovata — the genus that gives Crassulaceae its name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the stress fall?
The stress falls on the syllable LAY in standard botanical English.
Is another pronunciation acceptable?
Yes. Classical Latin reconstructions are heard in academic settings, but botanical English is clearer for general horticulture.
What does the word refer to?
It refers to the Crassulaceae family or to crassulacean physiology, depending on the term being used.
Why does the pronunciation matter?
It prevents confusion when discussing Crassula, Crassulaceae, and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism.