Not to be semantically confused with : Sundews such as Round-Leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), mor with Dewberry (Rubus caesius) [plants with similar names belonging to differing families]
Easily mis-identified as : Sally-my-handsome (Carpobrutus acinaciformis) but rather than having leaves with a near-circular cross-section, they have instead an isosceles triangular cross section, thinner on one edge.
Uniquely identifiable characteristics
Distinguishing Feature :
Despite the numerous rayed petals this plant does not belong to the Dandelion & Daisy Family (Asteraceae).
This non-native alien plant is a garden escapee which now grows near the sea in parts of West Cornwall, East Kent, West Sussex and the Scilly Isles. Growing on cliffs, rocks, walls, and in sandy places. It was formerly placed in the Mesembryanthemum genus but has since been placed into the Disphyma genus. Both genera are within Aizoaceae, the Dewplant Family.
Mesembryanthemum means 'mid-day flowering'. The plants in the Mesembryanthemum genus are from the Mediterranean and are covered in dense white crystal-like vesicles - the only one growing in the UK is Common Iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum), which is NOT the Ice-Plant (Sedum spectabile) that is commonly grown in gardens, for that is a member of the Stonecrop Family.
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