Mesembryanthemum cryptanthum

Hook.f.

AizoaceaeFruit
Mesembryanthemum cryptanthum
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(c) Noam, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Noam
Mesembryanthemum cryptanthum
iNaturalist · cc-by-nc
(c) Alex Dreyer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Alex Dreyer
Mesembryanthemum cryptanthum
iNaturalist · cc-by-nc
(c) Elke Entenmann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Elke Entenmann

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit

The seeds are crushed and used for making bread.

Where to Find It

It is a tropical plant. It grows in drier areas. It is best in a sunny position in a well-drained soils or low fertility.

Africa, Bahrain, Middle East, Namibia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Angola, Burkina Faso, Bahrain, Burundi, Benin, Botswana, Congo (DRC), Central African Republic, Congo (Republic), Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Algeria, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Comoros, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Lesotho, Libya, Morocco, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sao Tome & Principe, Syria, Eswatini, Chad, Togo, Tunisia, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How to Identify

An annual succulent herb of the Aizoaceae family with stems and leaves that lie along the ground. It is native to tropical, drier regions and grows best in sunny positions with well-drained or low-fertility soils.

How to Grow

Plants can be grown from seeds. They can be planted in a nursery. They germinate best at 15-20°C.

Propagation: Seed - sow in containers in a lightly shaded position. The seed germinates best at 15 - 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out when ready.

Names & Synonyms

Ghasool

Hydrodea cryptantha (Hook.f.) N. E. Br.Mesembryanthemum dactylinum Welw. ex Oliv.Opophytum dactylinum (Welw. ex Oliv.) N. E. Br.
References (3)
  • Fern, K., 2012, Tropical Species Database http://theferns.info/tropical/
  • Norton, J., et al, 2009, An Illustrated Checklist of the Flora of Qatar. UNESCO Office in Doha.
  • World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

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