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delosperma
Scientific Name: Delosperma
Family: Aizoaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Delosperma: The Dazzling Ice Plant
Delosperma, commonly known as Ice Plant, is a vibrant and versatile genus of perennial succulents prized for their drought tolerance and long-lasting, shimmering flowers.
Considerations for Pets
- Delosperma species have small, fleshy, cylindrical leaves.
- Some varieties have succulent leaves covered with ball-like protrusions.
Considerations for Children
- Delosperma species have small, fleshy, cylindrical leaves.
- Some varieties have succulent leaves covered with ball-like protrusions.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Delosperma
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Common Names: Ice Plant, Hardy Ice Plant
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to South Africa.
- Hardy in North America when grown in sunny, well-drained soil.
- One variety was discovered at a high elevation in South Africa and transported to the Denver Botanic Garden.
Ecological Role
- An indispensable component of drought-tolerant landscapes.
- Can help reduce reflected heat and glare when planted in gravel mulch.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Perennial plants that can be upright, procumbent, prostrate, or even cliff-dwelling.
- Vary from woody to herbaceous.
- Succulent, perennial ground cover with daisy-like flowers.
- Foliage is dense, yellow-green, and made up of small, fleshy, usually cylindrical leaves growing in opposite pairs on the stem.
- Flowers and leaves shimmer as though covered in frost or ice crystals.
Quirky Facts
- The name "Ice Plant" comes from the shimmering appearance of the flowers and leaves, which look as though they're covered in frost or ice crystals.
- One Delosperma variety received Colorado's Plant Select award due to its incredible tricolor flowers.
Specific Varieties
- Delosperma cooperi (Purple Ice Plant, Pink Carpet): A prostrate, freely branching succulent with narrow, very soft fleshy leaves and bright violet-purple flowers.
- Delosperma nubigenum 'Basutoland': A hardy succulent suitable for groundcover.
- Delosperma ashtonii Blut (Blut Ice Plant): Displays pink and purple flowers.
- Delosperma 'Hardy Mixed'
- Delosperma 'P001S' (Fire Spinner Ice Plant)
- Delosperma 'Mesa Verde'
- Delosperma 'Jewel of Desert'
- Delosperma 'Fire Spinner': Has vibrant tri-colored flowers of orange, red, and lavender.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Looks great alternated along a border edge with Delosperma sutherlandii and Delosperma lavisiae.
Resources and Further Information
- Dave's Garden
- Plant Delights Nursery
- NC State University
- eBay