APTENIA CORDIFOLIA

Family and Genus:- See- AIZOACEAE

Common Names:- Heartleaf iceplant, baby sun rose.

Homotypic Synonyms:- Mesembryanthemum cordifolium

Meaning:- Aptenia (Gr) Wingless, reference to the capsule.

Cordifolia (L) With heart-shaped leaves.

General description:- Procumbent perennial.

Stem:-

1) 20-60 cm. much-branched.

Leaves:-

1) Up to 3 cm long. opposite, cordate, papillose, flat at least the lower leaves

petiolate.

Flowers:-

1) Solitary, axillary and terminal. pedicellate.

2) Petals, bright pink to purple.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, just over 1 cm., long. with 4 compartments.

2) Valves without wings.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Coastal cliffs, rocky and stony ruderal habitats. 0-60 m.

Distribution:- Native to S. Africa. Introduced to the Mediterranean area. Rare on

Crete, known from only a few locations. but most probably under recorded.

Flowering time:- Apr-July sometimes later.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton