AIZOACEAE

FIG-MARIGOLD FAMILY

John Bleck, Wayne R. Ferren Jr., Nancy J. Vivrette

Annual, perennial herb, shrub, generally fleshy
Stem underground or prostrate to erect
Leaves generally simple, generally cauline, generally opposite; stipule generally 0; blade generally glabrous, often glaucous
Inflorescence: cyme or flower solitary
Flower generally bisexual, radial; hypanthium present; sepals 3–8; petals generally many in several whorls, free or fused at base, linear, sometimes 0; stamens 1–many, free or fused in groups, outer often petal-like; nectary a ring or separate glands; pistil 1, ovary superior to inferior, chambers 1–20, placentas generally parietal, styles 0–20, stigmas 1–20
Fruit: generally capsule, opening by flaps or circumscissile, or berry or nut
Seeds 1–many per chamber, often with aril
Genera in family: 130 genera, 2500 species: generally subtropical, especially s Africa; many cultivated, some waifs in CA (e.g., Disphyma crassifolium (L.) L. Bolus: ovary glands convex and minutely crenate, stigmas densely plumose, fruit chambers 5, seeds ovate, ± smooth; Lampranthus species: ovary glands fused, fruit chambers 5, seeds pear-shaped, ± black, rough; both genera members of Ruschieae)
Reference: [Ferren et al. 1981 Madroño 28:80–85]
Glinus, Mollugo are in Molluginaceae.

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM

ICEPLANT

Nancy J. Vivrette

Annual, biennial, glabrous, conspicuously papillate
Stem prostrate to ascending
Leaves alternate or opposite, cylindric or flat, reddish with age or stress
Inflorescence: cyme or flower solitary
Flower: sepals 4–5, 2 often leaf-like; petals free, linear, white; stamens many; ovary inferior, chambers 5–20, styles 5–20
Fruit: capsule, dehiscing when moist
Seeds many, round, compressed, often "D" shaped, with minute tubercles, light or dark reddish brown
Species in genus: 74 species: sw Africa, Medit, w Asia
Reference: [McVaugh 1974 Taxon 23:820–821]
Etymology: (Greek: afternoon-blooming)