MESEMBRYANTHEMUM NODIFLORUM

Family and Genus:- See- AIZOACEAE

Common Names:- Slender-leaf ice plant

Homotypic Synonyms:- Cryophytum nodiflorum, Gasoul nodiflorum.

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

flower with a central embryo.

Nodiflorum (L) Flowering at the nodes.

General description:- An annual herb.

Stems:-

1) Up to about 20 cm. forming a mostly prostrate clump or mat.

Leaves:-

1) Up to 20 mm. long, narrowly oblong, smooth and usually cylindrical and tapering,

blunt, covered with a waxy bloom bearing slightly crystalline papillae.

Flowers:-

1) Borne in loose clusters each about 5 mm wide, with many narrow to thready

white or pale yellow petals, which are shorter than the sepals.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, with 5 valves, winged on the angles, Opening when wet, releasing the

seeds.

Key features:-

1) Leaves narrowly oblong, subterete.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Coastal habitats, sandy and rocky, sandy fields.

Distribution:- Widespread and common throughout the Mediterranean. Fairly

widespread around the coastal areas of Crete.

Flowering time:- Apr-July.

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.