APTENIA CORDIFOLIA

Family:- AIZOACEAE

Common Names:- Heartleaf iceplant, baby sun rose.

Synonyms:- None

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

Cordifolia (L) With heart-shaped leaves.

General description:- Procumbent perennial.

Stem:- 20-60 cm, much-branched.

Leaves:- Opposite, up to 3 cm long, ovate-heart-shaped (cordate), with fine nipple-

like projections (papillose), flat, not covered with a waxy bloom (glaucous), at least

the lower leaves stalked.

Flowers:- Solitary, axillary and terminal, stalked (Pedicellate), petals, bright pink to

purple.

Fruit:- Capsule just over 1 cm., long with 4 compartments; valves without wings.

Key features:-

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.

Flowering time:- Apr-July sometimes later.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton

FAMILY AND GENUS DESCRIPTIONS

AIZOACEAE

General description:- Herbs or small shrubs.

Leaves:- Usually opposite and fleshy.

Flowers:- Calyx, tubular or inversely conical (turbinate), often with fleshy lobes.

Petals and stamens usually numerous. Ovary usually inferior or semi-inferior.

Fruit:- Woody and opening on moistening, or fleshy. Fruits not splitting open to

release their seeds (indehiscent).

APTENIA

Leaves:- Fleshy, flat or smooth and cylindrical, tapering (subterete), alternate or

opposite.

Flowers:- Solitary or in cymes. Petals and stamens numerous. Stigmas 4. Ovary

inferior; capsule with 4 cells (4-locular) with 4 valves, unwinged on the angles

Key features:-

1) At least the lower leaves stalked (petiolate).

2) Leaves heart-shaped (cordate) at base, with fine nipple-like projections

(papillose).