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
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.
| Family | Aizoaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | South Africa |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Rodondo creeper, Dew-flower, Pig-face |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Mesembryanthemum candens |
| Confidence level | high |