Drosanthemum Floribundum
Taxonomy:
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Drosanthemum Floribundum: Algeria's Dazzling Purple Ice Plant
When the Algerian sun beats down on rocky slopes and coastal plains, a miraculous transformation occurs. A low-growing, succulent mat erupts into a breathtaking carpet of vivid purple-pink flowers. This is Drosanthemum floribundum, a star among Algerian wild flowers and a stunning example of the resilience and beauty found in native Algerian flora. This guide will take you deep into the world of this remarkable succulent, a true jewel of Algerian plant biodiversity.
Introduction: A Living Carpet of Jewels
Drosanthemum floribundum, commonly known as the Rosea Ice Plant or Dewflower, is a prostrate, succulent perennial that belongs to the fascinating Aizoaceae family. It is celebrated for its spectacular floral displays that literally seem to make the ground shimmer with color. As a hardy perennial plant in Algeria, it is perfectly adapted to thrive in harsh, sunny environments, making it a quintessential representative of drought-tolerant Algerian native plants and a captivating subject for anyone interested in the flora of North Africa.Synonym : Mesembryanthemum
floribundum
How to identify it?
Drosanthemum floribundum is a Succulent perennial plant up to 10-20 cm high, from the Aizoaceae family cylindrical leaves of a grayish-green color with small crystalline papillae. It produces numerous flowers with beautiful pink petals, forms a dense carpet, blooms from March to June. Its fruits are five-pointed stars. Native to South Africa, fast-growing, stunningly flowering, very drought-resistant and needs very moderate watering; it is a plant very resistant to pests and diseases.
- Growth Habit: Forms a dense, low-growing, spreading mat or cushion, typically only 10-15 cm tall but spreading widely.
- Stems and Leaves: The stems are succulent and reddish-brown. The leaves are the key identifier: they are small, cylindrical, succulent, and covered in tiny, glittering papillae (bladder cells) that look like droplets of dew or ice crystals, giving the "Ice Plant" its name.
- Flowers: The spectacular show. Masses of daisy-like flowers, about 2-3 cm in diameter, with numerous narrow, vivid magenta-purple to pink petals. They open fully in bright sunshine, typically from late spring into early summer.
- Fruit: Produces a small, hygrochastic (water-responsive) capsule that opens when wet to release tiny seeds.
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Type
Of Plant |
Life
Cycle |
Height |
Flowering
Time |
Altitude |
|
Shrubs |
Perennial |
10 to 20 c m |
May to Jun |
0 - 200 m |
|
Mediterranean |
Edible |
Color |
Abundance |
Toxicity |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Red/Pink/Purple |
Common |
No |
Other
Common Name:
|
Arabic |
Berber/Targui |
English |
French |
Other
Name |
|
Zahrat E'nda |
|
Purple carpet,Dew flower |
Drosanthéme
florifére,Grasse à fleurs pourpres |
Pale dewplant,Rosea iceplant |
Where to Find It in Algeria: Exact Locations
This sun-worshipping succulent is perfectly at home in Algeria's arid and semi-arid regions. Unlike Algerian desert plants of the deep Sahara, it prefers rocky, well-drained soils in areas with some winter moisture.
You can find this vibrant Algerian wild plant in:
- Coastal Rocks and Sandy Plains of the Tell Atlas: From the hills around Algiers (e.g., the region of Bouzaréah) west to the Oran region.
- The Rocky Slopes of the Hauts Plateaux: In its western and central parts, where it colonizes stony ground.
- Northern Fringes of the Sahara Desert: In pre-desert steppic regions, often in wadi beds or sheltered rocky outcrops where moisture collects.
It is not typically considered one of the rare plants in Algeria in its preferred habitat but is a localized and ecologically important component of the landscape.
Related species:
§ Drosanthemum hispidum
§ Drosanthemum diversifolium
§ Drosanthemum speciosum
§ Drosanthemum striatum
§ Drosanthemum subcompressum
§ Drosanthemum cadens
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