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(Malephora lutea)
Rocky Point Ice Plant (Malephora lutea)
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Nicola van Berkel
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Nicola van Berkel
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Nicola van Berkel | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Nicola van Berkel | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-09-09T13:29-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Malephora lutea, commonly known as Rocky Point Ice Plant, is an evergreen succulent plant native to arid regions of South Africa, particularly thriving in coastal areas and semi-desert environments. It typically grows to a height of 0.9-1 feet (0.3-0.3 meters) and spreads out to 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters), forming dense mats that can serve as effective ground covers. The plant features fleshy, green leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers that bloom in the spring and are moderately showy, attracting pollinators such as bees.
Rocky Point Ice Plant is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to stabilize soil, making it a popular choice for xeriscaping, coastal gardens, and rockeries. It is also used to control erosion on slopes and banks. This succulent requires minimal maintenance, thriving in full sun with very low to low water needs and preferring well-drained soils. While it is generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils. It is important to note that in some regions, Malephora lutea can become invasive, so gardeners should monitor its growth and manage it accordingly.CC BY-SA 4.0
Rocky Point Ice Plant is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to stabilize soil, making it a popular choice for xeriscaping, coastal gardens, and rockeries. It is also used to control erosion on slopes and banks. This succulent requires minimal maintenance, thriving in full sun with very low to low water needs and preferring well-drained soils. While it is generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils. It is important to note that in some regions, Malephora lutea can become invasive, so gardeners should monitor its growth and manage it accordingly.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Succulent
- Height: 0.9-1 feet
- Width: 4-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Very Low, Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Arid regions of South Africa, particularly coastal areas and semi-desert environments
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Malephora lutea, Mesembryanthemum luteum, Hymenocyclus luteus,
GBIF Accepted Name: Malephora lutea (Haw.) Schwantes