Introduction

South Africa is home to multitudes of succulent plants, more than any other country. There are tiny mesembryanthemum plants and giant aloes. They may be soft and succulent, or hard and woody like baobob trees.

Details

There are over 1,500 “mesemb” species. Members of the Mesembryanthemaceae (Aizoaceae) are representative of South Africa’s succulents, the flowers come in all colors, they occupy many environments, and they are drought resistant. They are often small, ground-hugging plants, but a few make shrubs. Many are easy in cultivation, but some are difficult.

Additional Reading: Mesembryanthemaceae

Faucaria, Amy Buthod

Lithops fulviceps, Mike Keeling

Delosperma Congestum, Stuart

Delosperma cooperi seed pod, fully open and most seeds dispersed, Elliot Smith

Crassula expansa flowering, Martin Heigen

Carpobrotus dimidiatus, Ton Rulkens

Lithops sp., Andesine