(Photograph: Delosperma ‘Oberg’, Bahamut Chao)
Introduction
Delosperma is a genus of succulent plants commonly found in southern Africa. (But, where does D. madagascarensis come from?) Delo is from Greek: visible or obvious. Sperma is from Latin: seed.
The Details
When the seed capsule is ripe and conditions are dry, it opens up. It folds open like an upside down umbrella that is opened. The seeds lay on top of membranes for all the world to see. They are obvious.
There are more than 100 species of Delosperma; many are easy to grow if given good drainage and not over-watered. They have pretty flowers of pink, lavender, yellow, white, or even orange. The flowers have the many petals and stamens characteristic of flowers of the Aizoaceae plant family (Mesembryanthemaceae).
Many Delosperma species are low plants that clamber along the ground or over rocks, etc, and some of these species are used as groundcovers in dry areas. Others form small shrubs, and still others are rock plants. A few are cold-hardy; Delosperma cooperi will tolerate -10 F. Overall however, these are plants for warm, arid areas.
