Mesembryanthemum Crystallinum

Taxonomy:       

Kingdom Plantae Phylum: Tracheophytes Class: Angiosperms Class: Eudicots Order: Caryophyllales Family: Aizoaceae Genus: Mesembryanthemeum Species: M.crystallinum

             

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum: A Succulent Halophyte of Algeria’s Native Flora & Its Uses

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is a fascinating succulent halophyte in the Algerian flora, especially of coastal and saline ground. With its glistening leaves, edible and medicinal properties, and resilience to harsh soils, it's a strong candidate for blog coverage on Algerian wild plants and Algerian wild edible plants. On the flip side, its ability to colonize disturbed and saline soils means in some contexts its ecology must be managed or monitored to protect native coastal specialists.

 

Introduction

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, commonly known as the crystalline ice-plant or ice plant, is a succulent herb of the family Aizoaceae. It is distinguished by its glistening bladder cells on leaves and stems that look like tiny ice crystals. This species occurs naturally in North Africa (including Algeria) and the Mediterranean region, often in saline, sandy or disturbed habitats. In Algeria it contributes to Algerian wild plants, native Algerian flora, flora of North Africa and plays interesting roles ecologically and ethnobotanically.

Synonym:

Cryophytum crystallinum

Gasoul crystallinum

Mesembryanthemum brev e L.Bolus

Mesembryanthemum glaciale Haw

 

How to identify it?

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is a very rare plant from the family Aizoaceae, is a succulent plant 20 to 30 cm high whose leaves appear to be covered with snow crystals, although the plant is originally from South Africa. The thick, wavy leaves are covered with small transparent protrusions that resemble drops of lukewarm water. The white-pink flowers with many beautiful petals bloom from July to September. Glossy black seeds, smooth with corners. The glacial ficoïde loves cool, light, humus-rich soils and prefers temperate to warm climates.

Growth habit: creeping or prostrate succulent herb (annual or short-lived perennial) often trailing up to 50 cm or more.

Leaves: Fleshy, somewhat cylindrical or flattened, covered with transparent bladder-cells (large epidermal vesicles) which glisten like crystals. Leaf length 2–10 cm depending on habitat.

Flowers: Many-petaled daisy-like succulents; flower diameter 2.5 cm or more; petals typically white or pale-pink, open in bright light.

Habitat clues: Found on sandy or loamy soils, saline flats, dunes, disturbed coastal ground or saline inland flats. The presence of the glistening ice-cells on leaves is key.

Distinguishing features: The bladder-cells on leaves give a sparkling surface; leaf shape less sabre than some Carpobrotus species; smaller mat than large Carpobrotus mats; often found in more saline, flatter soils than steep dunes.

 

Type Of Plant	Life Cycle	Height	Flowering Time	Altitude
Herbaceous	Annual /Biennial	20 to 30 cm	Jul to Sep	0 m

 

Mediterranean	Edible	Color	Abundance	Toxicity
Yes	Yes	Pink/White	Common	No

 

Other Common Name:

Arabic	Berber/Targui	English	French	Other Name
L’ssen- Lahmar- hchichet teldj		Crystalline ice plant	Ficoide cristalline Ficoide Glaciale	Common ice plant Barrilla

 

Related species:

§   Mesembryanthemum  acinaciforme

§   Mesembryanthemum  copticum

§   Mesembryanthemum  cordifolium

§   Mesembryanthemum  crassifolium

§  Mesembryanthemum  M. cryptanthum

§  M. edule

§  Mesembryanthemum  Floribundum

§  Mesembryanthemum  forskahlii

§  Mesembryanthemum  gaussenii

§  Mesembryanthemum  multiradiatum

§  Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum ficoïde nodiflore 

§  Mesembryanthemum  theurkauffi Maire