Hue 2ls
MES EMBRYAN' T AKTH.JM
1 6 . P i c o i d e j s [^Fig-Marigold Family).
Mesembryanthemum, Linn.
58. *M. cryptanthum, Hk. f.—This most singular native plant
resembles when young a bright green succulent mass, changing to
yellow as it gets old, and finally drying up, as the hot weather approaches,
in the months of November and December. I t grows on
the hottest parts, in the most barren, arid, rocky soil near to the sea,
in the neighbourhood of Sandy Bay beach and Turk s Cap Bay, and
is to be met with generally on the Southern and Eastern outskirts
of the Island. The young plants appear after the winter rains in
June and July, and soon put forth their somewhat concealed white
flowers. A single plant seldom spreads more than fifteen inches in
diameter, and only reaches one or two inches in height. The plant
is so very succulent that it will not support its own weight when
held up from the ground, and water is seen to drop from it when
simply carried in the hand without any pressure. P l a t e 2 6 . I t is
also figured and described in Hk. Icon. Plant. 1034.
59. M. emarginatum, Linn.—-Brilliant purple-flowered Mesembryanthemum,
growing almost wild in some places on the - high exposed
land, where it attains to a small shrubby bush. When in
blossom the plant presents one bright mass of purple, which for
several miles distant is a most conspicuous object.—Hab. Cape of
Good Hope.
60. M. crystallinum, Linn.—The Ice plant grows wild, and is
very common, though confined to the Northern side of the Island,
about Ladder Hill, Half-tree Hollow, &c. C. Alt. P 2 ; seeds freely.—
Hab. Greece, Cape of Good Hope, Canary Islands, &c.
61. M. edule, Linn.:—The Hottentot Pig grows wild, and is very
common; towards the Eastern portion of Longwood Farm, it over-'
runs considerable tracts of land. M. Alt. T to 4. The fruit does
not come to perfection as it does at the Cape of Good Hope.—Hab.
Cape of Good Hope.
62. M. cordifolrum, Linn.—Quite a weed, bearing a small bright
pink star-flower, grows wild, and is very common generally in the
Island. M.—Hab. Cape of Good Hope.
63. M. sp. P—Orange-flowered Mesembryanthemum, cultivated
in gardens. Alt. 3‘8. Rather rare.'
R,