Delosperma

Delosperma ('delos'=evident, 'sperma'=seed) is a genus of around 170 species of succulent plants, formerly included in Mesembryanthemum in the family Aizoaceae. It was defined by English botanist N. E. Brown in 1925.[1] The genus is common in southern and eastern Africa, with a few species in Madagascar, Reunion island, Yemen and Saudi Arabia.[2][3] Delosperma species, as do most Aizoaceae, have hygrochastic capsules, opening and closing as they wet and dry.[4]

The leaves of Delosperma jansei (tradescantioides?)

Delosperma
Delosperma cooperi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Delosperma
N.E.Br.
   range of the genus

Distinguishing characters

Plants of the genus Delosperma can be distinguished by their seed capsules. When these open (in response to rain), the seeds are exposed and not covered by a protective membrane, like those of most other plants in the family. The membrane is sometimes reduced to just a ledge (a feature shared by the related genus Trichodiadema. The triangular valves, which open outwards when wet, each have distinctive wings on either side.

Delosperma leaves tend to grooved or covered in bladder cells, which are sometimes even extended into hairs. The leaf shape is cylindrical or sometimes flattened.[5]

  • When the valves of their seed capsules open, the seeds of Delosperma are exposed, and not covered by any membrane or covering.
    When the valves of their seed capsules open, the seeds of Delosperma are exposed, and not covered by any membrane or covering.
  • Delosperma floribundum leaves showing bladder cells typical of this genus
    Delosperma floribundum leaves showing bladder cells typical of this genus
  • The bladder cells of Delosperma sutherlandii are elongated into fine hairs
    The bladder cells of Delosperma sutherlandii are elongated into fine hairs
  • The bladder cells of Delosperma pruinosum are extended into thicker hairs.
    The bladder cells of Delosperma pruinosum are extended into thicker hairs.

Delosperma species are long-lived, and flower mostly in the summer. Their flowers vary greatly in colour.

Species

Species include:

Delosperma basuticum
Delosperma lydenburgense leaves are grooved

References
  1. Taylor, Nigel; Eggli, Urs (1986). "The Lectotype of Delosperma N. E. Brown (Aizoaceae)". Taxon. 35 (4): 709–711. doi:10.2307/1221621. JSTOR 1221621.
  2. Smith, G.F. (1998). Mesembs of the world. Briza Publications. p. 292.
  3. Hartmann, Heidrun E. K. (2017). Aizoaceae - Second Edition. Springer. p. 395.
  4. Harrington MJ, Razghandi K, Ditsch F, Guiducci L, Rueggeberg M, Dunlop JW, Fratzl P, Neinhuis C, Burgert I (2011). "Origami-like unfolding of hydro-actuated ice plant seed capsules". Nat. Commun. 2: 337. Bibcode:2011NatCo...2..337H. doi:10.1038/ncomms1336. PMID 21654637.
  5. Delosperma - SANBI
  6. Trout's Notes on Delosperma
  7. "Delosperma bosseranum - Entheopedia.Org: The Encyclopedia of Entheogenic Plants". entheopedia.org.
  8. "The Succulent Garden :: Online nursery specialising in Succulent Plants". www.thesucculentgarden.com.au.
  9. Bussmann, R. W., et al. (2006). Plant use of the Maasai of Sekenani Valley, Maasai Mara, Kenya. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2 22.
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