Aizoaceae? Something else?

If you have a succulent plant and need help identifying it, this is the place to post it.
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geotrox
Posts: 52
Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2016 6:18 pm
Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Aizoaceae? Something else?

Post by geotrox »

This odd little succulent has me scratching my head as to its identity. I've done a lot of google image searching to no avail thus far.
Opposite fleshy leaves, VERY inconspicuous small white flowers that never seem to open (at least I haven't seen it myself) which are nested deeply in the developing leaf axils, with one flower per leaf node. The flower develops into a ~1/4" stalked, 5 partitioned seed pod that opens fairly quickly when exposed to water. The last 2 pictures illustrate the phenomenon, with the last photo taken only 3 minutes after spraying with water, which shows the remaining small dark seeds. Grows readily from the water dispersed seed. I keep as a curiosity because of the interesting seed pod/water reaction.
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George Keeney
Columbus, Ohio, USA
Zone 6
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Shane
Posts: 1075
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:55 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA (zone 10b)

Re: Aizoaceae? Something else?

Post by Shane »

Looks like an Aizoaceae to me. But I probably know the least about them of anyone here. I'm curious though. The seed pod trick is pretty cool
Los Angeles, California (USA)
Zone 10b (yearly minimum temperature 1-5° C)

Fishhook cacti are like cats, they only like to be petted in one direction
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Shane
Posts: 1075
Joined: Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:55 pm
Location: Los Angeles, CA (zone 10b)

Re: Aizoaceae? Something else?

Post by Shane »

The word for the seed pod's behavior is hygrochastic. Apparently nearly all Aizoaceae have hygrochastic fruits
Los Angeles, California (USA)
Zone 10b (yearly minimum temperature 1-5° C)

Fishhook cacti are like cats, they only like to be petted in one direction
bbarv
Posts: 218
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2018 4:21 am
Location: Vancouver, Canada

Re: Aizoaceae? Something else?

Post by bbarv »

Mestoklema?
geotrox
Posts: 52
Joined: Wed Sep 07, 2016 6:18 pm
Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Re: Aizoaceae? Something else?

Post by geotrox »

Figured it out to be Delosperma bosseranum.
George Keeney
Columbus, Ohio, USA
Zone 6
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