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Aizoaceae   - Vygies, Ice Plants, Living Stones
(formerly Mesembryanthemaceae)

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The Aizoaceae is a very large family, largely endemic to Southern Africa, with at least 120 genera including over 1800 species. A few species are found in Australia and the Pacific area. All species are considered succulent but cover a wide range of life styles from leaf succulents to small shrubs. Distinctive seed capsules are valuable for identifying species.
 
Cultivation: Watering requirements vary according to the species' region of origin and hence whether it is a summer or winter grower. Seasons in the Northern hemisphere are reversed compared with those in the Southern hemisphere (South Africa) and most species adjust to this, so when cultivated in the Northern hemisphere grow and need water out of phase with their habitat.
 
Lithops: are winter growers and should be watered from late summer until November and a little water at the end of the Winter in March. Water should be withdrawn or at least light through the summer.
Conophytums: are also late season growers, but watering can be started earlier in July.

Succulent Plants
 
 
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Summary of Aizoaceae

  • Aloinopsis
  • Argyroderma
  • Bijlia
  • Braunsia
  • Carruanthus
  • Cephalophyllum
  • Cerochlamys
  • Chasmatophyllum
  • Cheiridopsis
  • Conophytum
  • Cylindrophyllum
  • Dracophilus
  • Ebracteola
  • Faucaria
  • Fenestraria
  • Glottiphyllum
  • Imitaria
  • Jacobsenia
  • Juttadinteria
  • Lampranthus
  • Lapidaria
  • Lithops
  • Machairophyllum
  • Monilaria
  • Nananthus
  • Odontophorus
  • Pleiospilos
  • Psammophora
  • Rhombophyllum
  • Ruschia
  • Schwantesia
  • Titanopsis
  • Trichodiadema
 

Aizoaceae Picture Gallery
Click on pictures to enlarge. Put cursor over a picture for the species name.

Aptenia cordifolia Cheiridopsis cigarettifera Cheiridopsis speciosa

Conophytum

Delosperma

Delosperma brunnthaleri Delosperma cooperi Delosperma esterhuyseriae Delosperma sutherlandii
 

Lithops

 
Trichodiadema stellatum