MESEMBRYANTHEMUM CRYSTALLINUM

Family and Genus:- See- AIZOACEAE

Common Names:- Ice plant

Homotypic Synonyms:- Cryophytum crystallinum, Gasoul crystallinum.

Meaning:- Mesembryanthemum (Gr) Originally, Midday-flower, but currently a

flower with a central embryo.

Crystallinum (Gr) With a glistening surface, as though covered with

crystals.

General description:- Low, sprawling annual covered in glistening crystalline

hairs.

Leaves:-

1) Mostly alternate. spathulate to broadly ovate, flat. untoothed, only the lower

pedicellate.

Flower:-

1) 20-30 mm. solitary, terminal, yellowish or whitish.

2) Petals, longer than the sepals.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, with 5 valves, winged on the angles.

Key features:-

1) Leaves spathulate to broadly ovate, flat.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Sandy or gravelly ground, salt marshes, usually close to the sea.

Distribution:- Widespread and common throughout the Mediterranean, not Turkey.

Limited distribution on Crete around coastal areas

Flowering time:- May-Aug.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton

Comments:-

Most of the genera that occur in Europe originate from South Africa. They are

cultivated for ornamental use, and many have become naturalized in milder, more or

less frost-free, coastal regions of S. and W. Europe.