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Summary

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is a prostrate to ascending, succulent annual plant, branched from the base, growing 15 - 20cm tall. Often growing in a group, it can form a mat of vegetation[270 ]. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens and is reported to be harvested from the wild for local use as a food. Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum has escaped from cultivation in various areas (including southwestern N. America, Australia and the Mediterranean), and become established in suitable habitats in the wild. It is able to out-compete native species by its habit of concentrating salt in its leaves and then secreting this onto the ground, making surface conditions too saline for native plants to germinate[270 ]. Common Iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) is a salt-laden succulent whose edible leaves, stems, and fruits offer a tangy, ocean-like flavor and thirst-quenching qualities—best when boiled to reduce saltiness. It grows well in USDA Zones 8–11 but is invasive in many regions, capable of displacing native flora. Slenderleaf iceplant is a salt-tolerant succulent whose seeds are edible but of limited food use, as other parts are not confirmed safe. Best adapted to USDA Zones 8–11. It is considered weedy and invasive in parts of its introduced range.

Physical Characteristics

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is a ANNUAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cryophytum cleistum L.Bolus. Cryophytum gibbosum N.E.Br. Cryophytum nodiflorum (L.) L.Bolus. Cryophytum rogersii L.Bolus. Gasoul nodiflorum (L.) Rothm. Mesembryanthemum caducum Aiton. Mesembryanthemum copticum L. Mesembryanthemum inornatum L.Bolus. Mesembryanthemum paucandrum L.Bolus. Psilocaulon caducum (Aiton) N.E.Br. Stigmatocarpum caducum (Aiton) L.Bolus.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

The whole plant is consumed as a cereal[1276 ]. A rather strange report - the plant is very succulent. Perhaps it is referring more to either the fruit or the small seed[K ]. Slenderleaf iceplant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) is a small succulent of the carpetweed family (Aizoaceae), native to southern Africa but now found in parts of the Pacific Coast and the Salton Sea basin of California, as well as other coastal or desert habitats worldwide. The seeds are the only part reported as edible, though they are tiny and difficult to harvest in quantity. Other plant parts are not traditionally used as food. The foliage is covered with minute “ice crystals” similar to those of common iceplant. While the leaves taste like ordinary vegetables with a hint of strawberries and a strong salty edge, their actual edibility has not been verified beyond the seeds. Because of their small size, the seeds have limited food value, but they are technically usable. The plant typically blooms from March to May, producing its seeds in spring. [2-3].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Agroforestry Uses: Due to its ability to accumulate salt, this species has been used for the desalination of soil and it has been suggested that it could be used in bioremediation projects[1093 ].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An annual or subshrub and grows primarily in the subtropical biome. Requires a sunny position. Easily grown in ordinary well-drained garden soil[1 , 52 ]. Succeeds in any well-drained low-fertility soil. This species uses the 'Crassulacean Acid Metabolism' (CAM) pathway to photosynthesis, a mechanism which aids in conserving moisture. The plant keeps its stomata closed during the day, opening them during the night when it takes in carbon dioxide and stores it in compounds such as malic acid. It then utilizes this carbon dioxide when photosynthesizing during the day. This type of mechanism is used by a range of mainly succulent plants, including cacti and Euphorbia species. Slenderleaf iceplant thrives in mild, dry climates with winter lows down to around 10 °F, placing it broadly within USDA Hardiness Zones 8–11. It has become naturalized and is regarded as invasive in some parts of California and other regions outside its native range, where it can spread aggressively in disturbed, salty, or coastal soils [2-3].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse, only just covering the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Seedlings are prone to damp off so should not be over watered and should be kept in a very sunny well-ventilated position[200 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Slenderleaf iceplant, Iceplant

Native Range

Native to: Algeria, Baleares, Canary Is., Cape Provinces, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Egypt, France, Greece, Gulf States, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Oman, Palestine, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Selvagens, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Western Sahara, Yugoslavia Introduced into: Argentina South, Azores, California, Chile Central, Chile North, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico Northwest, New Jersey, New South Wales, Portugal, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Slenderleaf iceplant thrives in mild, dry climates with winter lows down to around 10 °F, placing it broadly within USDA Hardiness Zones 8–11. It has become naturalized and is regarded as invasive in some parts of California and other regions outside its native range, where it can spread aggressively in disturbed, salty, or coastal soils.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not available

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum	Ice Plant, Common iceplant	Perennial	0.1	8-11		LMH	N	DM	3	1	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum - L.