mesembryanthemum

(mɪzˌɛmbrɪˈænθɪməm) n (Plants) any plant of a South African genus (Mesembryanthemum) of succulent-leaved prostrate or erect plants widely grown in gardens and greenhouses: family Aizoaceae. See fig marigold, ice plant, Livingstone daisy[C18: New Latin, from Greek mesēmbria noon + anthemon flower]

me•sem•bry•an•the•mum

(məˌzɛm briˈæn θə məm)

n. any of various chiefly Old World plants of the genus Mesembryanthemum, of the carpetweed family, having thick, fleshy leaves and often showy flowers. [< New Latin, irreg. < Greek mesēmbrí(a) midday + ánthemon flower]

Thesaurus

Noun

Mesembryanthemum - South African annual or biennial plants having flowers that open only in bright sunlightgenus Mesembryanthemumcaryophylloid dicot genus - genus of relatively early dicotyledonous plants including mostly flowersAizoaceae, carpetweed family, family Aizoaceae, family Tetragoniaceae, Tetragoniaceae - succulent herbs or small shrubs mostly of South Africa but also New Zealand and North America: carpetweeds; fig marigoldsfig marigold, pebble plant - any of several South African plants of the genus Mesembryanthemum cultivated for showy pink or white flowers

mesembryanthemum

any plant of a South African genus (Mesembryanthemum) of succulent-leaved prostrate or erect plants widely grown in gardens and greenhouses: family Aizoaceae

Mesembryanthemum

a genus of plants of the family Aizoaceae. They are low (4-60 cm) annual or biennial grasses with straight prostrate or creeping stems. The simple, alternate or opposite, succulent leaves are ovate, spatulate, or cylindrical. The entire plant is covered with glistening papillae, vesicles epidermal in origin. The bisexual flowers are solitary or in small inflorescences. The calyx is five-parted, and the numerous linear petals (staminodes) are white, red, pink, or, less often, yellow. The fruit is a five-celled capsule. There are approximately 50 species, found in southern and southwestern Africa in semideserts with sandy or rocky soils. Some species, such as Mesembryanthemum crystallinum and M. nodiflorum, grow wild in the Mediterranean region, the Canary Islands, Arabia, Iran, southern Australia, California, and Mexico. Many species are ornamentals and have been cultivated for a long time in open ground (for example, the ice plant).

Mesembryanthemum

Related to Mesembryanthemum: Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

noun

Synonyms for Mesembryanthemum

noun South African annual or biennial plants having flowers that open only in bright sunlight

Synonyms

genus Mesembryanthemum

Related Words

caryophylloid dicot genus
Aizoaceae
carpetweed family
family Aizoaceae
family Tetragoniaceae
Tetragoniaceae
fig marigold
pebble plant