The flower of Lampranthus spectabilis
I am smitten by this species, and it seems I am not the only one. Lampranthus is Latin for “shining flower”, while spectabilis means “outstanding”. “Outstanding shining flower” seems an apt common name for this species, but instead it is commonly termed trailing ice plant, after its translucent fleshy leaves.
Lampranthus spectabilis is a carpet-forming succulent shrub hailing from the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It has 5cm wide flowers with a ring of narrow petals that come in pink, red, magenta, or purple; these circle a bright yellow centre. The wiry stems grow horizontally, and have small, finger-like fleshy leaves. This species grows to a height of about 30 cm, and is often covered in flowers. Not surprisingly, Lampranthus spectabilis is widely cultivated as an ornamental, particularly in hot arid climates where it is often featured in xeriscape gardens and also used to stabilize steep slopes and roadsides.
Trailing ice plant is also used on extensive green roofs, which have a very shallow soil profile to minimize weight on the underlying building. Succulents are common green roof plants, as they are able to store moisture in their fleshy leaves during wetter periods, allowing them to survive the extreme drought and heat found on extensive green roofs. Lampranthus spectabilis, like many succulents, has evolved another feature that allows it to survive in hot, dry environments. This species obtains carbon dioxide in a different way than most plants, through Crassulacean acid metabolism, or CAM. Species with CAM open their stomata (gas exchange pores) at night and on cloudy days, and so do most of their respiration when heat stress is at its lowest. CAM plants are able to close their stomata during the daytime, minimizing evaporation. However, they still have access to the CO2 stored from nightime respiration for the photosynthetic process. The saying “you can’t eat your cake and have it too” applies to ice plants as well as people–the CAM metabolism of Lampranthus spectabilis plants allow them to handle extreme drought and temperature, but also limit photosynthesis and results in plants being quite slow-growing. In a 2010 study by Sendo et al., Evaluation of Growth and Green Coverage of Ten Ornamental Species for Planting as Urban Rooftop Greening (PDF), the researchers found that trailing ice plant, although particularly hardy, was less effective on green roofs than many of the other evaluated species, due to its slow growth.
Is this species considered invasive in the area where the photo was taken?
What is it’s wet-cold hardiness?
Excellent notes on this plant. Unfortunately it is not winter hardy here. Here in Virginia Beach I’ve tried the orange form of another ice plant- Malephora crocea.( possibly sold under the wrong name ) It was slow growing. It had foliage approx. 6 inches tall. The color was so vivid that it made my eyes water. Wonder how closely they are related ? Anyhow I believe that only the Delospermas can take our winters here in Zone 8. Malephora ‘Tequila Sunrise’ made it through several winters in a row here. Aptenia cordifolia made it through one winter but not unscathed. This is the Kudzu of iceplants. One spring I installed about a hundred of these 18 inches on center and they were a solid weed choking mat by summer.
Lampranthus spectabilis is invasive along the coast of northern California, displacing native grasses and forbs on ocean bluffs and adjacent grassland. I wouldn’t recommend its use in landscapes in Marin north to Humboldt Counties.
This plant was growing in a container on the Central Coast of California – Morro Bay, about half-way between San Francisco and Los Angeles. We have a mediterranean climate, with v.dry and warm summers and cool, wet (ha!) winters.
Many delospermas are rather cold hardy and have been used at the Denver Botanical Garden in their rock garden displays, although I find Lampranthus to be more cold sensitive.
However, our winters on the coast rarely see frost.
I have not found Lampranthus to be growing where it wasn’t planted. However, Carpobrotus and Conicosia are both in the Ice Plant Family (Aizoaceae) and are widespread invasive plants; particularly in coastal dune habitats.
Thanks, Tamara for your excellent, simple explanation of CAM. One of the best I’ve come across and perfect for the non-scientist. I was always getting bogged down in the details.