Aizoaceae Genera
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large
family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
of
dicotyledon The dicotyledons, also known as dicots (or, more rarely, dicotyls), are one of the two groups into which all the flowering plants (angiosperms) were formerly divided. The name refers to one of the typical characteristics of the group: namely, t ...
ous
flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
s containing 135
genera Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nomenclat ...
and about 1800
species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
. They are commonly known as ice plants or carpet weeds. They are often called vygies in South Africa and New Zealand. Highly
succulent In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word ''succulent'' comes from the Latin word ''sucus'', meani ...
species that resemble stones are sometimes called mesembs.


Description

The family Aizoaceae is widely recognised by taxonomists. It once went by the botanical name "Ficoidaceae", now disallowed. The
APG II system The APG II system (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group II system) of plant classification is the second, now obsolete, version of a modern, mostly molecular-based, system of plant taxonomy that was published in April 2003 by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Gro ...
of 2003 (unchanged from the
APG system The APG system (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system) of plant classification is the first version of a modern, mostly molecular-based, system of plant taxonomy. Published in 1998 by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, it was replaced by the improved AP ...
of 1998) also recognizes the family, and assigns it to the order
Caryophyllales Caryophyllales ( ) is a diverse and heterogeneous order of flowering plants that includes the cacti, carnations, amaranths, ice plants, beets, and many carnivorous plants. Many members are succulent, having fleshy stems or leaves. The betalai ...
in the clade
core eudicots The eudicots, Eudicotidae, or eudicotyledons are a clade of flowering plants mainly characterized by having two seed leaves upon germination. The term derives from Dicotyledons. Traditionally they were called tricolpates or non-magnoliid dicots ...
. The APG II system also classes the former families Mesembryanthemaceae Fenzl, Sesuviaceae Horan. and Tetragoniaceae Link under the family Aizoaceae. The common Afrikaans name "vygie" meaning "small fig" refers to the fruiting capsule, which resembles the true fig. Glistening epidermal bladder cells give the family its common name "ice plants". Most species (96%, 1782 species in 132 genera) in this family are endemic to arid or semiarid parts of Southern
Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...
in the Succulent Karoo. Much of the Aizoaceae's diversity is found in the Greater Cape Floristic Region, which is the most plant-diverse temperate region in the world. A few species are found in
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
and the Central Pacific area. Most fig-marigolds are
herbaceous Herbaceous plants are vascular plants that have no persistent woody stems above ground. This broad category of plants includes many perennials, and nearly all annuals and biennials. Definitions of "herb" and "herbaceous" The fourth edition of t ...
, rarely somewhat woody, with
sympodial Sympodial growth is a bifurcating branching pattern where one branch develops more strongly than the other, resulting in the stronger branches forming the primary shoot and the weaker branches appearing laterally. A sympodium, also referred to a ...
growth and stems either erect or prostrate.
Leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...
are simple, opposite or alternate, and more or less succulent with entire (or rarely toothed) margins.
Flower A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechani ...
s are perfect in most species (but unisexual in some), actinomorphic, and appear singularly or in few-flowered cymes developing from the leaf axils.
Sepal A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coined b ...
s are typically five (3-8) and more or less connate (fused) below. True
petal Petals are modified Leaf, leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often advertising coloration, brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''c ...
s are absent. However, some species have numerous linear petals derived from staminodes. The seed capsules have one to numerous seeds per cell and are often hygrochastic, dispersing seeds by "jet action" when wet.


Evolution

The radiation of the Aizoaceae, specifically the subfamily Ruschioideae, was one of the most recent among the
angiosperms Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
, occurring 1.13-6.49 Mya. It is also one of the fastest radiations ever described in the angiosperms, with a diversification rate of about 4.4 species per million years. This diversification was roughly contemporaneous with major radiations in two other succulent lineages,
Cactaceae A cactus (, or less commonly, cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. The word ''cactus'' derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Greek ...
and ''
Agave ''Agave'' (; ; ) is a genus of monocots native to the hot and arid regions of the Americas and the Caribbean, although some ''Agave'' species are also native to tropical areas of North America, such as Mexico. The genus is primarily known for ...
.'' The family includes many species that use
crassulacean acid metabolism Crassulacean acid metabolism, also known as CAM photosynthesis, is a carbon fixation pathway that evolved in some plants as an adaptation to arid conditions that allows a plant to photosynthesize during the day, but only exchange gases at night. ...
as pathway for
carbon fixation Biological carbon fixation or сarbon assimilation is the process by which inorganic carbon (particularly in the form of carbon dioxide) is converted to organic compounds by living organisms. The compounds are then used to store energy and as ...
. Some species in the subfamily Sesuvioideae instead use carbon fixation, which might have evolved multiple times in the group.


Taxonomy

Because of the hyperdiversity of the Aizoaceae and the young age of the clade, many generic and species boundaries are uncertain.


Subfamily Acrosanthoideae

Genera: *'' Acrosanthes'' Eckl. & Zeyh.


Subfamily Aizooideae

Genera: *'' Aizoanthemopsis'' Klak *'' Aizoanthemum'' Dinter ex Friedrich *''
Aizoon ''Aizoon'' or ''Aizoön'' is a genus of flowering plants in the iceplant family, Aizoaceae. Distribution Apart from A. canariense (which is native to Macaronesia, North Africa, Southern Africa, Horn of Africa and West Asia) all species are nat ...
'' L. *'' Gunniopsis'' Pax *''
Tetragonia ''Tetragonia'' is a genus of about 85 species of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae, native to temperate and subtropical regions mostly of the Southern Hemisphere, in New Zealand, Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth ...
'' L.


Subfamily Mesembryanthemoideae

Genera:


Subfamily Ruschioideae

Genera: ;Tribe Ruschieae *''
Acrodon ''Acrodon'' is a genus of ice plants from South Africa. It comprises 8 species, mostly endangered and all restricted to the southern Cape regions of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces, South Africa. Description Species of ''Acrodon'' f ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Aloinopsis'' Schwantes *''
Amphibolia ''Amphibolia'' is a genus of plant in family Aizoaceae. Species include: * ''Amphibolia obscura ''Amphibolia obscura'' is a species of plant in the family Aizoaceae. It is endemic to Namibia. Its natural habitat is rocky areas. It is threat ...
'' L.Bolus ex A.G.J.Herre *''
Antegibbaeum ''Antegibbaeum'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and fo ...
'' Schwantes ex C.Weber *''
Antimima ''Antimima'' is a succulent plant genus in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to South Africa and Namibia Namibia (, ), officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Arenifera'' A.G.J.Herre *'' Argyroderma'' N.E.Br *''
Astridia ''Astridia'' is a genus of plants in the family Aizoaceae. It is named after the wife Astrid of the German botanist and archaeologist Gustav Schwantes (1881 - 1960).Genaust, Helmut (1976). ''Etymologisches Wörterbuch der botanischen Pflanzenname ...
'' Dinter *''
Bergeranthus ''Bergeranthus'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. Its native range is South African Republic. Species: *''Bergeranthus albomarginatus'' *''Bergeranthus concavus'' *''Bergeranthus longisepalus'' *''Bergeranth ...
'' Schwantes *'' Bijlia'' N.E.Br *'' Braunsia'' Schwantes *'' Brianhuntleya'' Chess. et al. *'' Carpobrotus'' N.E.Br *'' Carruanthus'' (Schwantes) Schwantes *''
Cephalophyllum ''Cephalophyllum'' is a genus of plants in the family Aizoaceae. Species * '' Cephalophyllum alstonii'' Marloth ex L.Bolus * '' Cephalophyllum brevifolium'' L. Bolus * '' Cephalophyllum caespitosum'' H.Hartmann * '' Cephalophyllum compressum ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Cerochlamys'' N.E.Br *''
Chasmatophyllum ''Chasmatophyllum'' is a genus of succulent plants native to the Karoo mountains of South Africa. The genus contains eight accepted species: *''Chasmatophyllum braunsii'' *''Chasmatophyllum maninum'' *''Chasmatophyllum musculinum'' *''Chasmatoph ...
'' Dinter & Schwantes *'' Cheiridopsis'' N.E.Br *''
Circandra ''Circandra'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form ...
'' N.E.Br *''
Conophytum ''Conophytum'' is a genus of South African and Namibian succulent plants that belong to the family Aizoaceae. The name is derived from the Latin ''conus'' (cone) and Greek ''phytum'' (plant). The plants are also known as knopies (buttons in ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Corpuscularia'' Schwantes *''
Cylindrophyllum ''Cylindrophyllum'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. Its native range is South African Republic. Species: *''Cylindrophyllum calamiforme'' *''Cylindrophyllum comptonii'' *''Cylindrophyllum hallii'' *''Cylind ...
'' Schwantes *''
Delosperma ''Delosperma'' ('delos'=evident, 'sperma'=seed) is a genus of around 170 species of succulent plants, formerly included in ''Mesembryanthemum'' in the family Aizoaceae. It was defined by English botanist N. E. Brown in 1925. The genus is common ...
'' N.E.Br *''
Dicrocaulon ''Dicrocaulon'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Didymaotus'' N.E.Br *''
Dinteranthus ''Dinteranthus'' is a genus of plants in the family Aizoaceae. It occurs in the arid northwestern parts of the Northern Cape Province, South Africa and the south-eastern parts of Namibia. Description and taxonomy The plants are mesembs, and res ...
'' Schwantes *'' Diplosoma'' Schwantes *''
Disphyma ''Disphyma'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae that are native to New Zealand, Australia and southern Africa. Plants in this genus are prostrate, annual or short-lived perennial shrubs with succulent leaves and daisy-like flo ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Dracophilus'' (Schwantes) Dinter & Schwantes *'' Drosanthemum'' Schwantes *'' Eberlanzia'' Schwantes *'' Ebracteola'' Dinter & Schwantes *'' Ectotropis'' N.E.Br *''
Enarganthe ''Enarganthe'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing 135 genera and about 1800 species. They are commonly known ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Erepsia'' N.E.Br *''
Esterhuysenia ''Esterhuysenia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. Its native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is ...
'' L.Bolus *'' Faucaria'' Schwantes *''
Fenestraria ''Fenestraria'' (known as babies' toes or window plant) is a (possibly monotypic) genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, native to the Namaqualand in Namibia. Description The only species currently recognised in this genus is '' ...
'' N.E.Br *''
Frithia ''Frithia'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to several small rocky areas in the vicinity of Gauteng Province, South Africa. Description Like several of its close relatives (e.g. ''Fenestraria'') and other plant ...
'' N.E.Br *''
Gibbaeum ''Gibbaeum'' is a genus of about 21 species of small succulent plants of the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to the Little Karoo region of South Africa. The name "Gibbaeum" comes from the Latin ''gibbosus'' (hunchback) Description These dwarf su ...
'' Haw. ex N.E.Br *''
Glottiphyllum ''Glottiphyllum'' is a genus of about 57 species of succulent subtropical plants of the family Aizoaceae. It is closely related to the ''Gibbaeum'' and '' Faucaria'' genera. The name comes from ancient Greek γλωττίς ''glottis'' "tongue" an ...
'' Haw. ex N.E.Br *''
Hallianthus ''Hallianthus'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It only contains one species, ''Hallianthus planus'' It is native to the Cape Provinces of the South African Republic. The genus name of ''Hallianthus'' ...
'' H.E.K.Hartmann *'' Hereroa'' (Schwantes) Dinter & Schwantes *'' Ihlenfeldtia'' H.E.K.Hartmann *'' Imitaria'' N.E.Br *''
Jacobsenia ''Jacobsenia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It is native to the Cape Provinces in the South African Republic. The genus name of ''Jacobsenia'' is in honour of Hermann Jacobsen (1898–1978), a German gardener ...
'' L.Bolus & Schwantes *'' Jensenobotrya'' A.G.J.Herre *''
Jordaaniella ''Jordaaniella'' is a genus of plants in the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing 135 genera and about 1800 species. They are commonly known as ice plants or ...
'' H.E.K.Hartmann *''
Juttadinteria ''Juttadinteria'' is a genus of plants in the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing 135 genera and about 1800 species. They are commonly known as ice plants or ...
'' Schwantes *'' Khadia'' N.E.Br *''
Lampranthus ''Lampranthus'' is a genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to southern Africa. Description The genus name ''"Lampranthus"'' means ''"shining-flowers"'' in Greek, and the species of this genus have unusually large, bright ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Lapidaria'' (Dinter & Schwantes) N.E.Br. *'' Leipoldtia'' L.Bolus *'' Lemonanthemum'' Klak *''
Lithops ''Lithops'' is a genus of succulent plants in the ice plant family, Aizoaceae. Members of the genus are native to southern Africa. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek words () 'stone' and () 'face', referring to the stone-like appearanc ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Machairophyllum'' Schwantes *''
Malephora ''Malephora'' is a genus of succulent plants in the ice plant family. There are 13 to 17 species in the genus, many of which are known commonly as mesembs. They are native to Africa. During the apartheid era, South African scientists have used ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Malotigena'' Niederle *''
Marlothistella ''Marlothistella'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It is native to the Cape Provinces within South African. The genus name of ''Marlothistella'' is in honour of Rudolf Marloth Hermann Wilhelm Rudolf Marloth ...
'' Schwantes *''
Mestoklema ''Mestoklema'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. Its native range is Southern Africa. Species Species: *''Mestoklema albanicum'' *''Mestoklema arboriforme'' *''Mestoklema copiosum'' *''Mestoklema elatum'' *'' ...
'' N.E.Br. ex Glen *'' Meyerophytum'' Schwantes *'' Mitrophyllum'' Schwantes *''
Monilaria ''Monilaria'' is a genus of plants in the Family (biology), family ''Aizoaceae''. List of species * ''Monilaria brevifolia'' L.Bolus * ''Monilaria chrysoleuca'' Schwantes * ''Monilaria globosa'' (L.Bolus) L.Bolus * ''Monilaria luckhoffii'' L.Bo ...
'' (Schwantes) Schwantes *''
Mossia ''Mossia'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It only contains one known species, ''Mossia intervallaris''. Its native range is Lesotho and South Africa and it is found in the provinces of the Cape Provi ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Muiria'' N.E.Br *'' Namaquanthus'' L.Bolus *''
Namibia Namibia (, ), officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and ea ...
'' (Schwantes) Schwantes *'' Nananthus'' N.E.Br *''
Nelia Nelia or Neleia ( grc, Νηλία or Νήλεια) was a town of Magnesia in ancient Thessaly; Demetrias was situated between it and Iolcus. Strabo reports that when Demetrios Poliorketes Demetrius I (; grc, Δημήτριος; 337–283 BC), ...
'' Schwantes *''
Neohenricia ''Neohenricia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing 135 genera and about 1800 species. They are commonly known as ice p ...
'' L.Bolus *'' Octopoma'' N.E.Br *'' Odontophorus'' N.E.Br *''
Oophytum ''Oophytum'' is a genus of succulent plants native to South Africa. Both species are endemic to the Knersvlakte The Knersvlakte is a region of hilly terrain covered with quartz gravel in Namaqualand in the north-west corner of the Western Cape P ...
'' N.E.Br *''
Orthopterum ''Orthopterum'' is a genus of succulent plant in the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing 135 genera and about 1800 species. They are commonly known as ice p ...
'' L.Bolus *''
Oscularia ''Oscularia'' is a genus of succulent flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae, native to semi-arid and rocky habitats in the Western Cape of South Africa. It was previously included within the related genus ''Lampranthus'', but was split off a ...
'' Schwantes *''
Ottosonderia ''Ottosonderia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. Its native range is the Cape Provinces in South Africa. The genus name of ''Ottosonderia'' is in honour of Otto Wilhelm Sonder Otto Wilhelm Sonder (18 June 1 ...
'' L.Bolus *'' Phiambolia'' Klak *''
Pleiospilos ''Pleiospilos'' is a genus of succulent flowering plants of the family Aizoaceae, native to South Africa. The name is derived from the Greek ''pleios'' "many" and ''spìlos'' "spot". The plants are also known as ''kwaggavy'' ("Quagga The ...
'' N.E.Br *'' Polymita'' N.E.Br *''
Psammophora ''Psammophora'' is a genus of plant in the family Aizoaceae. It contains the following species: * '' Psammophora longifolia'',L. Bolus * '' Psammophora modesta'' (Dinter & A. Berger) Dinter & Schwantes * '' Psammophora nissenii'' (Dinter) Dinte ...
'' Dinter & Schwantes *'' Rabiea'' N.E.Br *'' Rhinephyllum'' N.E.Br *'' Rhombophyllum'' (Schwantes) Schwantes *''
Roosia ''Roosia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. Its native range is South African Republic. Species: *''Roosia grahambeckii'' *''Roosia lucilleae'' References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q106982947 Aizoaceae Aizoacea ...
'' van Jaarsv. *''
Ruschia ''Ruschia'' is a genus of succulent plant, in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to the dryer parts of southern Africa. Description Typical features of the genus include grey or blue-green succulent leaves, that are 3-sided or triangular in cross- ...
'' Schwantes *'' Ruschianthemum'' Friedrich *''
Ruschianthus ''Ruschianthus falcatus'' is a species of plant in the family Aizoaceae. It is endemic to Namibia. Its natural habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an ar ...
'' L.Bolus *'' Sarcozona'' J.M.Black *'' Schlechteranthus'' Schwantes *''
Schwantesia ''Schwantesia'' is a genus of plant in the family Aizoaceae. It is named in honor of the German botanist and archaeologist Gustav Schwantes (1881 - 1960).Genaust, Helmut (1976). ''Etymologisches Wörterbuch der botanischen Pflanzennamen'' ''Sc ...
'' Dinter *''
Scopelogena ''Scopelogena'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form ...
'' L.Bolus *'' Smicrostigma'' N.E.Br *''
Stayneria ''Stayneria'' (or 'white-flowered mesemb') is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It contains a single species, ''Stayneria neilii''. It is in the subfamily Ruschioideae and the tribe Ruschieae. It is native to the Cap ...
'' L.Bolus *'' Stoeberia'' Dinter & Schwantes *''
Stomatium ''Stomatium'' is a genus of succulent plants in the ice plant family, Aizoaceae. Members of the genus are native to southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost subregion of the African continent, south of the Congo and Tanzania. T ...
'' Schwantes *''
Tanquana ''Tanquana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form t ...
'' H.E.K.Hartmann & Liede *''
Titanopsis ''Titanopsis'' is a genus of about 10 species of succulent plants of the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to the arid regions of South Africa and Namibia. The name ''Titanopsis'' is derived from the Greek (god), '' Titan'', the sun, and ''opsis'', ...
'' Schwantes *'' Trichodiadema'' Schwantes *''
Vanheerdea ''Vanheerdea'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing 135 genera and about 1800 species. They are commonly known ...
'' L.Bolus ex H.E.K.Hartmann *'' Vanzijlia'' L.Bolus *''
Vlokia ''Vlokia'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing 135 genera and about 1800 species. They are commonly known as ice plant ...
'' S.A.Hammer *''
Wooleya ''Wooleya'' is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It only contains one known species, ''Wooleya farinosa''. It is also in tribe Ruschieae. It is native to the Cape Provinces in the South African Republic. T ...
'' L.Bolus *'' Zeuktophyllum'' N.E.Br


Subfamily Sesuvioideae

This subfamily includes a number of species. Genera: *'' Anisostigma'' Schinz *''
Sesuvium ''Sesuvium'' is a genus of flowering plants in the ice plant family, Aizoaceae. The roughly eight species it contains are commonly known as sea-purslanes. Selected species * '' Sesuvium crithmoides'' Welw. – Tropical sea-purslane * '' Ses ...
'' L. *''
Trianthema ''Trianthema'' is a genus of flowering plants in the ice plant family, Aizoaceae. Members of the genus are annuals or perennials generally characterized by fleshy, opposite, unequal, smooth-margined leaves, a prostrate growth form, flowers with ...
'' L. *''
Tribulocarpus ''Tribulocarpus'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. Its native range is Ethiopia to Southern Africa. Species: * ''Tribulocarpus dimorphanthus'' (Pax) S.Moore * ''Tribulocarpus retusus'' (Thulin) Thulin & Liede ...
'' S.Moore *''
Zaleya ''Zaleya'' is a genus of flowering plants in the iceplant family Aizoaceae, found in Cape Verde, Africa, Madagascar, Réunion, Socotra, Western Asia, West Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Australia. Species Currently accept ...
'' Burm.f.


Unplaced genera

Include; * ''
Hammeria ''Hammeria'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It is native to the Cape Provinces The Cape Provinces of South Africa is a biogeographical area used in the World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distribut ...
'' * ''
Peersia ''Peersia'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It is native to the Cape Provinces in the South African Republic. The genus name of ''Peersia'' is in honour of Victor Stanley Peers (1874–1940), an Australian botan ...
''


Uses

Several genera are cultivated. ''
Lithops ''Lithops'' is a genus of succulent plants in the ice plant family, Aizoaceae. Members of the genus are native to southern Africa. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek words () 'stone' and () 'face', referring to the stone-like appearanc ...
'', or "living stones", are popular as novelty house plants because of their stone-like appearance. Some species are edible, including: * ''
Carpobrotus edulis ''Carpobrotus edulis'' is a ground-creeping plant with succulent leaves in the genus ''Carpobrotus'', native to South Africa. Its common names include hottentot-fig, sour fig, ice plant or highway ice plant. Description ''Carpobrotus edulis'' ...
'' (Hottentot fig, highway ice plant) has
edible leaves This is a list of vegetables which are grown or harvested primarily for the consumption of their leafy parts, either raw or cooked. Many vegetables with leaves that are consumed in small quantities as a spice such as oregano, for medicinal purpo ...
and fruit. * ''
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum ''Mesembryanthemum crystallinum'' is a prostrate succulent plant native to Africa, Sinai and southern Europe, and naturalized in the New World. The plant is covered with large, glistening bladder cells or water vesicles, reflected in its common n ...
'' has edible leaves. * '' Tetragonia tetragonoides'' ("New Zealand spinach") is grown as a garden plant in somewhat dry climates and used as an alternative to
spinach Spinach (''Spinacia oleracea'') is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and western Asia. It is of the order Caryophyllales, family Amaranthaceae, subfamily Chenopodioideae. Its leaves are a common edible vegetable consumed either f ...
in upscale
salad A salad is a dish consisting of mixed, mostly natural ingredients with at least one raw ingredient. They are typically served at room temperature or chilled, though some can be served warm. Condiments and salad dressings, which exist in a va ...
s. '' C. edulis'' was introduced to California in the early 1900s to stabilize soil along railroad tracks and has become invasive. In southern California, ice plants are sometimes used as firewalls; however, they do burn if not carefully maintained.


References


Further reading

* *


External links


Aizoaceae
in L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards)
''The families of flowering plants''

NCBI Taxonomy Browser

P. Chesselet (2004 onwards). Interactive Mesembs2

Plants of southern Africa (2005 onwards). SANBI




Flowers in Israel

i
BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database
{{Taxonbar, from=Q156219 Caryophyllales families Flora of South Africa Fynbos Succulent plants https://github.com/fo808/pr-test/commit/3de9b12b3eb377f5407d7894ec97c03b7b01900f