Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum

Botanical Description

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is a prostrate to ascending, succulent annual plant, branched from the base, growing 15 - 20cm tall. Often growing in a group, it can form a mat of vegetation[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens and is reported to be harvested from the wild for local use as a food. Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum has escaped from cultivation in various areas (including southwestern N. America, Australia and the Mediterranean), and become established in suitable habitats in the wild. It is able to out-compete native species by its habit of concentrating salt in its leaves and then secreting this onto the ground, making surface conditions too saline for native plants to germinate[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].