Aptenia cordifolia
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Aptenia cordifolia |
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| ( Lf ) Schwantes |
Aptenia cordifolia is a plant of the genus Aptenia from the family of aizoaceae (Aizoaceae). The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word cor for heart (because of the heart-shaped leaves). It is sometimes also referred to as ice herb, heart-leaved aptenia or heart-leaved ice plant, because it (like many other representatives of the Aizoaceae) only opens its flowers during the hours of sunshine of the day.
description
Aptenia cordifolia is a perennial succulent plant that only reaches heights of about 5 to 10 centimeters. It is richly branched with prostrate, creeping branches. The stems are green and terete. The fleshy, small leaves are opposite, ovate to heart-shaped, about 2.5 cm long and covered with fine papillae .
The small, short-stalked, pink to purple-red flowers have a diameter of about 8 to 15 mm and appear individually terminal or lateral. There are numerous bracts (80) and stamens (50). The flowers only open during the sunny hours of the day. There are fruit capsules formed.
Occurrence
Aptenia cordifolia is native to the eastern coastal deserts of South Africa . Today it can be found planted or overgrown in numerous warmer areas, especially near the coast (including the Mediterranean region, the Canary Islands, California and Australia). The not frost-hardy plant needs a sunny location and well-drained soil.
Uses and varieties
Aptenia cordifolia can be planted as a fast-growing, non-winter-hardy ground cover in flower boxes and hanging baskets. Hibernation takes place either in a frost-free, sunny place at approx. 5 to 8 ° C or rooted cuttings are overwintered. In addition to the species, one also encounters the A. cordifolia 'Variegata' variety , the leaves of which have creamy white edges and rarely a white-flowering form.
The plant is also used in the kitchen, mostly for decoration purposes or mixed under salad. The fleshy leaves have a sour taste. In addition, the locals of the region of origin use the plant for its anti-inflammatory properties.
supporting documents
- C. Brickell (Ed.): Encyclopedia of Garden and Indoor Plants. Orbis, Munich 1994, ISBN 3-572-00685-6 .
- W. Haage: Cacti and succulents. Quelle & Meyer, Heidelberg 1989, ISBN 3-494-01143-5 .
- J. Ettelt: succulent card index. In: Cacti and other succulents. 3/2004.
- Nancy J. Vivrette: Aptenia. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee (Ed.): Flora of North America North of Mexico . Volume 4: Magnoliophyta: Caryophyllidae, part 1 . Oxford University Press, New York / Oxford a. a. 2003, ISBN 0-19-517389-9 , pp. 83-84 (English). (on-line)
