Aptenia cordifolia (L.) Schwantes

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Photo: Mark Hyde
Blue Kerry, Harare

Synonyms:	Mesambryanthemum cordifolium L. f.
Common names:	Heart-leaf ice plant (English)
Description:	Prostrate or trailing herb. Stems succulent, papillose. Leaves ovate, green, succulent, papillose; base cordate. Perianth of 2 green leaf-like broad segments alternating with 2 linear segments. Seeds tuberculate.
Notes:	Commonly cultivated and escaping in many parts of the world, but not so far recorded as an escape in Zimbabwe. Similar to Aptenia lancifolia. See this page for an interesting discussion on that subject and the generic position of these species.
Derivation of specific name:	cordifolia: with cordate (heart-shaped) leaves
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Native to South Africa, but naturalised elsewhere in the world
Growth form(s):	Perennial.
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Image last updated:	Saturday 5 August 2006
Literature:	Biegel, H.M. (1977). Check-list of ornamental plants used in Rhodesian parks and gardens. Rhodesia Agricultural Journal. Research Report No. 3. Page 23. Gonçalves, M.L. (1978). Mesembryanthemaceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Pages 549 - 551. (Includes a picture).

Flora of Mozambique: Aptenia cordifolia
Flora of Mozambique: cultivated Aptenia cordifolia

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Aptenia cordifolia
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Aptenia cordifolia
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Aptenia cordifolia
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Aptenia cordifolia
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Aptenia cordifolia
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Aptenia cordifolia
JSTOR Plant Science: Aptenia cordifolia
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Aptenia cordifolia
Plants of the World Online: Aptenia cordifolia
Tropicos: Aptenia cordifolia
Wikipedia: Aptenia cordifolia