Aizoanthemum hispanicum in Algeria :Desert Succulent Gem of the Algerian Wild Flora
Taxonomy:
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Aizoanthemum hispanicum is a modest but fascinating component of Algeria’s flora: a succulent annual adapted to arid and clayey pastures, carrying features unusual among typical Mediterranean herbs (papillose leaves, succulent habit, specialized seed‐dispersal). While it may not be as showy as shrubs or large perennials, it plays a subtle but important role in the biodiversity of dry zones. For anyone writing about Algerian native plants, it offers a fine case study of adaptation, survival and ecological niche in North Africa’s semi-arid landscapes.
Introduction
The plant Aizoanthemum hispanicum (synonymously known as Aizoon hispanicum) is an intriguing annual succulent herb, adapted to arid, sandy or saline soils part of the family Aizoaceae.While it is more frequently documented in the Mediterranean, Macaronesian and Middle Eastern regions, it is also reported in Algeria. It thus represents a valuable component of the native Algerian wild plants, contributing to Algerian plant biodiversity and the flora of North Africa. This blog post explores its synonyms, global & Algerian names, exact localities in Algeria, botanical and ecological traits, and its role in Algerian native flora.Synonyms
Aizoon hispanicum
Aizoanthemum hispanicum
Aizoanthemopsis hispanicaHow to identify
it?
Aizoanthemum hispanicum is a wonderful plant with beautiful white flowers, often branching, found in dry cultivated areas and in clay soil. This annual plant grows in spring, and it is from the Aizoaceae family. Its light green leaves are covered with small crystal papillae, 1 to 30 cm high. It blooms between January and June .General distribution in the south of the Mediterranean, and is a good reppeller for locusts.
Growth form: Annual herbaceous succulent, often prostrate or low-lying, branching from base. Size roughly 5–25 cm tall.
Leaves: Opposite (some lower alternating), fleshy, sessile or nearly so, lanceolate to oblong, covered in transparent or hyaline papillae (small bumps) giving a glistening texture.
Flowers: Solitary or few, axillary, with 5 white (or whitish-green) tepals (petal‐like segments) internally yellowish or greenish externally; stamens 5-15; ovary 5-locular.
Fruit: Capsule of ~5 locules; interesting seed-dispersal mechanism: when rains occur, locules fill with water, and on further raindrops a jet of water + seeds is expelled through a nozzle‐like structure.
Habitat clues: Dry sandy, salty or clayey soils, often coastal or steppe habitats. Recognise the succulent leaves and papillae in a dry-soil context.
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Type
Of Plant |
Life
Cycle |
Height |
Flowering
Time |
Altitude |
|
Herbaceous |
Annual |
5 to 35 c m |
Feb to Sep |
0 - ? m |
|
Mediterranean |
Edible |
Color |
Abundance |
Toxicity |
|
Yes |
Yes/seeds |
White/yellow |
common |
Least Worrying |
Other
Common Name:
|
Arabic |
Berber/Targui |
English |
French |
Other
Name |
|
Rh'as/Djafna/ ghasoul |
Taghassoult |
Blue Water Spanish aizoon |
Aizoon d’espagne |
Green Emerald aguazoul |
Where to Find It in Algeria
According to recent succulent-flora surveys in Algeria:
· The species is native and recorded across many arid or clayey pastures through Algeria, except in some parts of the Tell-Constantine region.
· Specific documented Algerian localities include:
o Oum El Bouaghi (north-eastern Algeria) .
o Djelfa region (central Algeria) .
o Béchar (western Sahara region, Algeria) .
· Habitat in Algeria: clayey, arid pastures, steppe zones, rather than humid mountains. Mentioned as “arid or clayey pastures / throughout Algeria” in one checklist.
Altitude: Many Mediterranean and steppe occurrences; for North Africa it tends to occur at low to moderate altitudes in arid terrain.Related species:
Aizoon sessiliflorum
Aizoon sessiliflorum
Aizoon Dinter
Aizoon procumbens
Aizoon spathulatum
Aizoon glinoides
Aizoon karooicum
Aizoon paniculatum
Aizoon rigidum
Aizoon sarmentosum
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