The Aizoaceae, or fig-marigold family, is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing 135 genera and about 1800 species. They are commonly known as ice plants or carpet weeds. They are often called vygies in South Africa and New Zealand. Highly succulent species that resemble stones are sometimes called mesembs.
Carpobrotus, commonly known as pigface, ice plant, sour fig, Hottentot fig, and clawberry is a genus of ground-creeping plants with succulent leaves and large daisy-like flowers. The name comes from the Ancient Greek karpos "fruit" and brotos "edible", referring to its edible fruits.
Mesembryanthemum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae; like many members of this family, it is characterized by long-lasting flower heads. Flowers of Mesembryanthemum protect their gametes from night-time dews or frosts but open in sunlight. There is an obvious evolutionary advantage to doing this; where sun, dew, frost, wind or predators are likely to damage exposed reproductive organs, closing may be advantageous during times when flowers are unlikely to attract pollinators. It is indigenous to southern Africa.
Drosanthemum ("dewflowers") is a genus of succulent plants in the ice plant family native to the winter-rainfall regions of southern Africa. Most species bear colorful flowers.
Glottiphyllum is a genus of about 57 species of succulent subtropical plants of the family Aizoaceae. It is closely related to the Gibbaeum and Faucaria genera. The name comes from ancient Greek γλωττίς glottis "tongue" and φύλλον phyllon "leaf". The species are native to South Africa, specifically to Cape Province and the Karoo desert. They grow in rocks and soils incorporating slate, sandstone and quartz. Rainfall in their native areas is between 125 and 500 mm, most of which falls in March and November.
Orbea is a genus of flowering plants of the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1812. It is native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Cleretum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae, native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa.
Carpanthea, called vetkousie, is a genus of flowering plants in the iceplant family Aizoaceae, native to the southwest of the Cape Province of South Africa. Low-lying succulent annuals, their flowers and fruit are edible.
Vanheerdea is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It is also in Tribe Ruschieae.
Pleiospilos compactus, called living rock, is a species of flowering plant in the ice plant genus Pleiospilos, native to the southwestern Cape Provinces of South Africa. A succulent, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Erepsia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Jacobsenia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Hereroa is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Leipoldtia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Mossia is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It only contains one known species, Mossia intervallaris.
Nananthus is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Ottosonderia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Schlechteranthus is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Rhinephyllum is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Peersia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
