Mesembryanthemum

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Genus of plants

title: "Mesembryanthemum" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["mesembryanthemum", "succulent-plants", "barilla-plants"] description: "Genus of plants" topic_path: "general/mesembryanthemum" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesembryanthemum" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Genus of plants ::

|image = Mesambryanthemum nodiflorum.jpg |image_caption = Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum |taxon = Mesembryanthemum |authority = L. |subdivision_ranks = Species |subdivision = See text for accepted species |synonyms = |Amoebophyllum|N.E.Br. |Aptenia|N.E.Br. |Arenifera|Herre |Aridaria|N.E.Br. |Aspazoma|N.E.Br. |Brownanthus|Schwantes |Callistigma|Dinter & Schwantes |Caulipsolon|Klak |Cryophytum|N.E.Br. |Dactylopsis|N.E.Br. |Derenbergiella|Schwantes |Eurystigma|L.Bolus |Ficoides|Mill. |Gasoul|Adans., nom. superfl. |Gynicidia|Neck., opus utique oppr. |Halenbergia|Dinter ex H.Jacobsen |Hydrodea|N.E.Br. |Litocarpus|L.Bolus, nom. superfl. |Manettia|Adans., nom. rej. |Mesembryanthes|Stokes |Mesembryanthus|Raf. |Mesembryum|Adans. |Neo-aridaria|A.G.J.Herre, no Latin descr. |Nycteranthus|Neck. ex Rothm. |Nycterianthemum|Haw. |Opophytum|N.E.Br. |Pentacoilanthus|Rappa & Camarrone |Perapentacoilanthus|Rappa & Camarrone |Phyllobolus|N.E.Br. |Platythyra|N.E.Br. |Prenia|N.E.Br. |Pseudobrownanthus|Ihlenf. & Bittrich |Psilocaulon|N.E.Br. |Sceletium|N.E.Br. |Sphalmanthus|N.E.Br. |Synaptophyllum|N.E.Br. |Tetracoilanthus|Rappa & Camarrone, nom. superfl. |Trichocyclus|N.E.Br. |Volkeranthus|Gerbaulet |synonyms_ref =

Mesembryanthemum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. As with many members of that family, it is characterized by long-lasting flower heads. Flowers of Mesembryanthemum protect their gametes from night-time dews or frosts but open in sunlight. There is an obvious evolutionary advantage to doing this; where sun, dew, frost, wind or predators are likely to damage exposed reproductive organs, closing may be advantageous during times when flowers are unlikely to attract pollinators.

Many Mesembryanthemum species are known as ice plants because of the glistening globular bladder cells covering their stems, fruit and leaves, "... they sparkle like ice crystals". In South Africa, Mesembryanthemums are known as "vygies" (from Afrikaans "vy"), although that term refers to many plants in the family Aizoaceae.

Species formerly placed in Mesembryanthemum have been transferred to other genera, such as Cleretum and Carpobrotus, although sources differ.

Etymology

Jacob Breyne coined the name of the flower in 1684, using the spelling Mesembrianthemum ("midday flower"

Description

Raphides are found in abundance in this genus.

Uses

Mesembryanthemums are often cultivated as ornamental plants for their showy flowers. Ornamental plants may escape into the wild and consequently have become widely naturalized outside their native range. They are considered an invasive weed in certain places.

Culture and society

Some Mesembryanthemum species are thought to be hallucinogenic plants, like related Aizoaceae, and as such may be subject to legal restrictions (e.g., Louisiana State Act 159).

Species

, Plants of the World Online accepted the following 108 species:

Gallery

File:Mesembryanthemum crystallinum 1983-2.JPG|M. crystallinum File:Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum kz7.JPG|M. nodiflorum

Legal status

United States

Louisiana

Except for ornamental purposes, growing, selling or possessing any species of Mesembryanthemum is prohibited by Louisiana State Act 159.

References

Bibliography

References

  1. "Browsing: Aizoaceae". World of Succulents.
  2. Smith, Curtis. "Ice plant". New Mexico State University.
  3. Jacobsen, Hermann. (1978). "A Handbook of Succulent Plants: Descriptions, Synonyms and Cultural Details for Succulents Other Than Cactaceae". Blandford Press Ltd..
  4. Oxford English Dictionary Online, s.v. "[http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/00306549/00306549spg1?single=1&query_type=misspelling&queryword=mesembrianthemum&first=1&max_to_show=10&hilite=00306549spg1 Mesembryanthemum, n.]" (accessed June 24, 2008).
  5. Watt, John Mitchell; Breyer-Brandwijk, Maria Gerdina: The Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Southern and Eastern Africa 2nd ed Pub. E & S Livingstone 1962
  6. "''Mesembryanthemum'' L.". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

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mesembryanthemumsucculent-plantsbarilla-plants