Mesembryanthemum cryptanthum
Hook.f.
Aizoaceae
Aizoon theurkauffii Maire
Hydrodea bossiana Dinter
Hydrodea cryptantha (Hook.f.) N.E.Br.
Hydrodea hampdenii N.E.Br.
Hydrodea sarcocalycantha (Dinter & A.Berger) Dinter
Mesembryanthemum forskahlii Hochst. ex Boiss.
Mesembryanthemum gaussenii Leredde
Mesembryanthemum sarcocalycanthum Dinter & A.Berger
Mesembryanthemum theurkauffii (Maire) Maire
Opophytum forskahlii (Hochst. ex Boiss.) N.E.Br.
Opophytum gaussenii (Leredde) H.Jacobsen ex Greuter & Burdet
Opophytum theurkauffii (Maire) Maire
Common Name:
General Information
Mesembryanthemum cryptanthum is a prostrate, annual plant with thick, succulent stems and leaves.
The edible fruits are sometimes harvested for local consumption.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Range
Africa - drier areas from the northeast by the Red Sea to the southwest in Namibia.
Habitat
Not known
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Annual |
| Height | 0.05 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Grows best in a sunny position in a well-drained soil of low fertility[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
The crushed fruits are used in making bread[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - sow in containers in a lightly shaded position. The seed germinates best at 15 - 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out when ready.
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
