Delosperma

''Delosperma'' ('delos'=evident, 'sperma'=seed) is a genus of around 170 species of succulent plants, formerly included in '' Mesembryanthemum'' in the family Aizoaceae. It was defined by English botanist N. E. Brown in 1925. The genus is common in southern and eastern Africa, with a few species in Madagascar, Reunion island,Yemen and Saudi Arabia. ''Delosperma'' species, as do most Aizoaceae, have hygrochastic capsules, opening and closing as they wet and dry.

Distinguishing characters

Plants of the genus ''Delosperma'' can be distinguished by their seed capsules. When these open (in response to rain), the seeds are exposed and not covered by a protective membrane, like those of most other plants in the family. The membrane is sometimes reduced to just a ledge (a feature shared by the related genus '' Trichodiadema''. The triangular valves, which open outwards when wet, each have distinctive wings on either side.

''Delosperma'' leaves tend to grooved or covered in bladder cells, which are sometimes even extended into hairs. The leaf shape is cylindrical or sometimes flattened.

File:Delosperma bosseranum seeds.jpg, When the valves of their seed capsules open, the seeds of ''Delosperma'' are exposed, and not covered by any membrane or covering.
File:Delosperma floribundum Starburst 4zz.jpg, '' Delosperma floribundum'' leaves showing bladder cells typical of this genus
File:Delosperma sutherlandii 2017-05-31 2119.jpg, The bladder cells of ''Delosperma sutherlandii'' are elongated into fine hairs
File:Delosperma pruinosum 3c.JPG, The bladder cells of '' Delosperma pruinosum'' are extended into thicker hairs.

''Delosperma'' species are long-lived, and flower mostly in the summer. Their flowers vary greatly in colour.

Species

Species include:

*'' Delosperma acuminatum''Trout's Notes on Delosperma
/ref>
*'' Delosperma alpina''
*'' Delosperma basuticum''
*'' Delosperma bosseranum'', iceplant
*''Delosperma cooperi''
*'' Delosperma congestum''
*'' Delosperma dyeri'

*'' Delosperma echinatum''
*'' Delosperma ecklonis''
*'' Delosperma esterhuyseniae''
*'' Delosperma floribunda''
*'' Delosperma hallii''
*'' Delosperma harazianum''
*'' Delosperma hirtum''
*''Delosperma hallii aff. litorale'' St. Fancis Bay
*'' Delosperma lavisiae'' – AGM
*''Delosperma lehmannii''
*''Delosperma lineare'' L.Bolus — South Africa (Free State, KwaZulu-Natal), Lesotho
*''Delosperma lydenburgense''
*''Delosperma nakurense'' Bussmann, R. W., et al. (2006)
Plant use of the Maasai of Sekenani Valley, Maasai Mara, Kenya.
''J Ethnobiol Ethnomed'' 2 22.
*'' Delosperma napiforme''
*'' Delosperma nubigenum''
*''Delosperma pageanum''
*''Delosperma pergamentaceum''
*''Delosperma sphalmanthoides''
*''Delosperma sutherlandii''
*''Delosperma tradescantiodes''

References

External links

*
Jepson Manual TreatmentUSDA Plants Profile: North American SpeciesFlora of North America
*https://worldofsucculents.com/genera/delosperma/
hydropower seed capsule origami

{{Taxonbar, from=Q134423

Aizoaceae genera
Taxa named by N. E. Brown
Succulent plants