Drosanthemum candens (Haw.) Schwantes

Succulent with prostrate stems, short, blunt, cylindrical leaves covered with papillae, and white flowers, to 12mm across, but see Notes below.  [RHSD, Hortus]. 

Horticultural & Botanical History

Botanically described by Haworth as Mesembryanthemum candens in 1821 [Saxifragearum Enumeratio part 2, p.186/1821]. In a revision of the Aizoacea in 1929 Schwantes proposed the genus Drosanthemum and retained the specific epithet candens for this plant [Zeitschrift für Sukkulentenkunde. Berlin. Vol.3, p.29/1927].

Introduced to Britain in 1820.  [JD]. 

History at Camden Park

Obtained from the Sydney Botanic Garden, 28th October 1846.  [RBGS AB]. A well established weed in southern coastal Australia, from Western Australia to New South Wales.

Notes

Standard references, such as those used here, refer to the flowers of Drosanthemum candens as white. However all photographs of this plant that I have seen from Australia, including the one used here, show it with pink flowers. Victorian Resources Online describes the flowers as pink or sometimes white [http://www.land.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/sip_rodondo_creeper].

Published Oct 10, 2009 - 01:57 PM | Last updated Feb 07, 2011 - 04:57 PM


This beautiful photograph shows the Rodondo creeper growing on cliffs near Sydney together with a yellow Gazania.

Drosanthemum candens (Haw.) Schwantes | Photograph © Tony Rodd. For more pictures and details of restrictions on the use of this image go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_rodd/5270047423.

More details about Drosanthemum candens (Haw.) Schwantes
Family Aizoaceae
Category
Region of origin

South Africa

Synonyms
  • Mesembryanthemum candens Haw.
Common Name

Rodondo creeper, Dew-flower, Pig-face

Name in the Camden Park Record

Mesembryanthemum candens 

Confidence level high