crystalline iceplant
(Mesembryanthemum crystallinum)
This species is Introduced in the United States
ORIGIN: Africa, Mediterranean
GROWTH TRAITS: Succulent, herbaceous annual (most typical) to short-lived perennial with trailing and branched stems growing up to 3.2’ wide (100 cm) and 4-8” high (10-20 cm) from a shallow and very short root system. Leaves are succulent, 0.8-4” long (2-10 cm), oval or triangular in outline with very wavy margins, and light green to red. Stems, leaves, and flower receptacles are covered in tiny, clear, blister-like projections resembling frozen dew. Flowering largely occurs in spring and early summer, but flowers can be found nearly year-round. Flowers are 0.3-0.6” in diameter (7-15 mm), occur on fleshy red receptacles, have numerous narrow, white petals aging to pink, and have multiple yellow-white stamens and styles. Fruits are 5-celled capsules that burst to release numerous brown seeds when conditions are moist.
REPRODUCTION: By seed. Seed viability is unknown.
HABITAT: Found primarily in saline soils near the coast in sage scrub, coastal bluffs and cliffs, and other open, disturbed areas without frost.
LOOK-ALIKES: The white petals and clear, tiny, blister-like projections covering the plant help differentiate this species from unrelated species as well as many other iceplants. The exotic slender iceplant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) has a similar form and habitat, is also covered with clear blisters, and varies from light green to red. Slender iceplant is smaller with stems growing to 8” long (20 cm), and is lined with knob-like, cylindrical, fleshy leaves up to 0.8” long (2 cm). Slender iceplant flowers are white but less than 0.4” in diameter (1 cm).
CITATIONS:
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
GROWTH TRAITS: Succulent, herbaceous annual (most typical) to short-lived perennial with trailing and branched stems growing up to 3.2’ wide (100 cm) and 4-8” high (10-20 cm) from a shallow and very short root system. Leaves are succulent, 0.8-4” long (2-10 cm), oval or triangular in outline with very wavy margins, and light green to red. Stems, leaves, and flower receptacles are covered in tiny, clear, blister-like projections resembling frozen dew. Flowering largely occurs in spring and early summer, but flowers can be found nearly year-round. Flowers are 0.3-0.6” in diameter (7-15 mm), occur on fleshy red receptacles, have numerous narrow, white petals aging to pink, and have multiple yellow-white stamens and styles. Fruits are 5-celled capsules that burst to release numerous brown seeds when conditions are moist.
REPRODUCTION: By seed. Seed viability is unknown.
HABITAT: Found primarily in saline soils near the coast in sage scrub, coastal bluffs and cliffs, and other open, disturbed areas without frost.
LOOK-ALIKES: The white petals and clear, tiny, blister-like projections covering the plant help differentiate this species from unrelated species as well as many other iceplants. The exotic slender iceplant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) has a similar form and habitat, is also covered with clear blisters, and varies from light green to red. Slender iceplant is smaller with stems growing to 8” long (20 cm), and is lined with knob-like, cylindrical, fleshy leaves up to 0.8” long (2 cm). Slender iceplant flowers are white but less than 0.4” in diameter (1 cm).
CITATIONS:
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Caryophyllanae |
| Order: Caryophyllales |
| Family: Aizoaceae |
| Genus: Mesembryanthemum |
| Mesembryanthemum crystallinum |
References
Common Name Reference: Weed Science Society of America Common Names List
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.