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.
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.
Antimima is a succulent plant genus in the family Aizoaceae, indigenous to South Africa and Namibia.
Faucaria is a genus of around 8 species of succulent subtropical flowering plants of the family Aizoaceae. The name comes from the Latin word fauces because of the appearance of "teeth" on the leaves.
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.
Pleiospilos nelii, the split rock, splitrock or living granite, is a species of flowering plant in the family Aizoaceae, native to South Africa. It grows in semi-arid areas with rainfall of between 150mm and 300mm, in the Karoo of South Africa.
Neohenricia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae, native to South Africa. Low-lying succulents, they are found in places that can collect a little water, such as crevices and pans, on sandstone or dolorite, in areas that get at least 200 mm of rainfall annually.
Wooleya is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It only contains one known species, Wooleya farinosa. It is also in tribe Ruschieae.
Vanzijlia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It only contains one known species, Vanzijlia annulata.
Vanheerdea is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It is also in Tribe Ruschieae.
Hammeria is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Esterhuysenia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Jacobsenia 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.
Ottosonderia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Schlechteranthus is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Rabiea is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
Marlothistella is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa.
Peersia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Aizoaceae.
