Disphyma Crassifolium

Taxonomy:       

Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophytes Class: Angiosperms Class: Eudicots Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Disphyma Species: D.crassifolium

             

Disphyma crassifolium in Algeria: A Coastal Succulent Built for Survival

Disphyma crassifolium, commonly known as Round-leaf Pigface, is a low-growing, succulent perennial famous for its fleshy leaves, vivid pink-purple flowers, and exceptional tolerance to salt, drought, and coastal winds. Although native to Australia and South Africa, this plant has become naturalized in parts of North Africa, including coastal Algeria, where it thrives in sandy and saline environments.

As interest grows in Algerian wild plants and climate-resilient vegetation, Disphyma crassifolium stands out as a valuable species for coastal stabilization, ecological landscaping, and biodiversity conservation.

Synonyms

Mesembryanthemum crassifolium

Disphyma australe

Disphyma clavellatum

 

How to Identify Disphyma crassifolium

Disphyma crassifolium it is a perennial plant, belonging to the family Aizoaceae, only 5-15 cm in height with a spread of 1-2 m. Its leaves are succulent and small, round and cylindrical Also called noon-flower or purple plant, it is widespread throughout Australia, and its sweet fruits are a favorite of the aborigines. It has purple or violet flowers. This plant tolerates frost, drought and salinity. It also adapts well to a range of soil types. And it is widespread in Algeria.

• Growth Form: Prostrate, mat-forming perennial
• Height: 5–15 cm
• Spread: Up to 1 meter
• Leaves: Thick, fleshy, rounded to triangular, bluish-green
• Flowers: Pink to purple, daisy-like, 3–5 cm wide
• Blooming Period in Algeria: March to June
• Fruits: Small capsules containing numerous seeds

 

Type Of Plant	Life Cycle	Height	Flowering Time	Altitude
Herbaceous	Perennial	0.2  to 0.3c m	March to July	0 - 200 m

 

Mediterranean	Edible	Color	Abundance	Toxicity
Yes	Yes/fruits,leaves	Pink/Purple	Common	No

 

Other Common Name:

Arabic	Berber/Targui	English	French	Other Name
		Rounded Noon-flower	Disphyme à feuilles épaisses	Purple dewplant,Fico marino

 

Where to Find It in Algeria: Exact Locations

In Algeria, Disphyma crassifolium is found mainly in Mediterranean coastal zones, especially where soils are sandy, rocky, or saline.

 

Observed and Suitable Locations

• Coastal areas of Oran
• Mostaganem shoreline
• Tipaza coastal cliffs
• Algiers coastal belt
• Parts of Skikda and Annaba

Port zones, dunes, and disturbed coastal habitats

Often planted for erosion control, it can escape cultivation and establish naturally.

 

Algerian Distribution

Status: Naturalized coastal plant

Bioclimatic Zone: Mediterranean coastal

Altitude: Sea level to 100 m

Soils: Sandy, calcareous, saline, poor soils

Water Needs: Very low

 

International Distribution

Native to Australia and Southern Africa

Naturalized in :

Mediterranean Europe

North Africa

California

Coastal Chile

 

Botanical Characteristics

Life Cycle: Perennial succulent

Photosynthesis Type: CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism)

Salt Tolerance: Very high

Drought Resistance: Excellent

Growth Rate: Moderate

Invasiveness: Low compared to Carpobrotus

 

Related species:

§  Disphyma crassifolia

§  Disphyma blackii 

§  Disphyma clavellatum