Slenderleaf iceplant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• slender iceplant
• slender-leaved iceplant

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cryophytum nodiflorum
• Gasoul nodiflorum
• Mesembryanthemum paucandrum
• Mesembryanthemum inornatum
• Psilocaulon caducum
• Stigmatocarpum caducum
• Stigmatocarpum copticum
• Cryophytum rogersii
• Cryophytum gibbosum
• Cryophytum cleistum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the Aizoaceae family, falling under the genus Mesembryanthemum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of Europe. In Middle Europe, its presence is specifically noted within Germany. Moving towards the southwestern part of the continent, it can be found in France and Portugal. Its range also extends to various Mediterranean locations, including the Balearic Islands. Additionally, the species is documented inhabiting the island of Corsica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is characterized by its ability to inhabit diverse topographical settings, spanning a broad altitudinal gradient. This species is found across a wide elevational range, beginning at low-lying areas as low as 20 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum altitude of 1150 m AMSL. This distribution suggests an adaptability to various environmental pressures found between coastal or lowland plains and mid-elevation terrains. Its presence across such a significant vertical range indicates a capacity to tolerate varying temperature regimes and moisture availability typical of these shifting ecological zones.

Elevational range max:

1150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

20 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental sequence from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species functions as a therophyte, a life form defined by its reliance on ephemeral seasonal growth where the plant survives unfavorable conditions primarily through highly resistant seeds rather than perennial vegetative structures. This classification as a therophyte indicates that the plant avoids environmental stress by remaining in a dormant seed state, rapidly emerging to utilize available moisture and nutrients before retreating back into the seed bank to await the next favorable cycle.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is characterized by a low-growing, non-woody growth form, specifically classified as a herb and a forb. This plant exhibits a prostrate shoot orientation, spreading horizontally across its substrate with a shoot length reaching a maximum of 30 cm. While it can inhabit various environments, its ecological niche spans aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial habitats, though it functions as a terrestrial organism rather than an epiphyte. As an independent species, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine. The plant maintains a diminutive stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.02 m to a maximum of 0.3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.02 m

Shoot length max:

30 cm

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is characterized by a highly specialized metabolic and morphological framework adapted for efficiency. A defining physiological feature of this plant is its use of the Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthetic pathway, which allows for enhanced water-use efficiency by temporally separating carbon fixation from light-dependent reactions. Morphologically, the plant's photosynthetic organs consist of linear leaves that exhibit a distinct growth pattern through an alternate leaf arrangement. These leaves are characterized by a slender profile, with a minimum leaf width of 0.1 cm and a maximum width of 0.2 cm, while their longitudinal dimensions range from a minimum length of 1 cm to a maximum length of 4 cm.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

linear

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

0.2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

CAM

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproductive system where self-fertilization is absent, necessitating biotic pollination. The flowering period typically begins in February and concludes in April, during which the plant produces white flowers that are serviced by an insect pollination syndrome. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a capsule-type fruit, which measures between 0.8 cm and 1 cm in width. This fruit is dehiscence-driven, releasing a prolific number of seeds, with each fruit containing more than 1,000 seeds. The individual seeds are quite small, exhibiting a mean mass of approximately 0.002720625 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.000115 g to a maximum of 0.02023 g) and a consistent seed volume of 5 mm³. Dispersal of these seeds occurs through multiple mechanisms, primarily utilizing a hydrochorous (water-based) syndrome as well as endozoochorous methods, ensuring the plant's ability to colonize new environments.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.02023 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002720625 g

Seed mass min:

0.000115 g

Seed volume max:

5 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.

Anticancer

1. Toxicology reports

Conditions

Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Herpes simplex virus type 1.

Herpes simplex virus type 1

1. Natural product research