Syn.: Aizoon procumbens Crantz, Glinus crystallinus Forssk.
Family: Aizoaceae Rudolphi
Distribution: From the islands of Macaronesia (Cape Verde, Canary Islands and Madeira) through northern Africa to western Asia (from Arabia to western Pakistan). The species was also recorded in southern Africa (Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland).
Ecology: It grows on dry rocks and cliffs, mainly in the coastal zone, usually in saline soil – in Macaronesia up to 200 m asl. In inland areas (eg. Sahara) it grows on sand in higher altitudes. It blooms from January to May.
Description: Annual to perennial herb, 5–20 cm tall. Stems procumbent, branched, fleshy, hairy, leaves alternate, petiolate, obovate, about 2.5 cm long, entire, pilose. Flowers in leaf axils, solitary, sessile, pentamerous, perianth segments yellowish inside, greenish or reddish outside. The fruit is a capsule.
These images were taken in Spain, the Canary Islands, Tenerife, Malpaís de Güimar (April 1, 2006).
