Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
Crystalline iceplant, Crystalline Iceplant
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Aizoaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (Crystalline iceplant) is a non-native California herb in the Aizoaceae family, recognized by leaf size/shape, flower color, and plant size.
Crystalline iceplant is a naturalized annual found in coastal California regions including North Coast, Central Coast, Southern Coast, and Channel Islands on coastal bluffs, cliffs, and disturbed ground at elevations below 100 meters. Flowering from March to October, this plant produces white to pink flowers that age to a soft pink color. Growing with trailing, forked stems less than one meter long, it spreads across the ground in distinctive sprawling patterns. Its fleshy leaves range from 2 to 20 centimeters long, with lower leaves shaped like a heart and upper leaves varying from ovate to spoon-shaped. The fruit is covered in coarse, raised papillae, giving the plant a distinctive crystalline texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by leaf size/shape, flower color, and plant size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common, coastal bluffs, cliffs, disturbed ground
Elevation: < 100 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Monterey, Ventura, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, San Mateo, Imperial, San Benito, Yolo, Santa Clara
Outside California: to Arizona, Mexico, also Mediterranean, South America, Australia, Africa, native to southern Africa
Bloom period
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum blooms Mar-Oct.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Carpobrotus: Mesembryanthemum is annual with crystalline leaves; Carpobrotus is perennial with huge fleshy fruits.; vs Salicornia: Mesembryanthemum has visible leaves and daisy-like flowers; Salicornia has succulent jointed stems with scale leaves.; vs Tetragonia: Mesembryanthemum has daisy-like flowers; Tetragonia has tiny flowers hidden in leaf axils.; vs Batis: Mesembryanthemum has flat leaves and open flowers; Batis has fleshy cylindrical leaves and cone-like flower clusters.; vs Crassula: Mesembryanthemum has daisy-like flowers with many petals; Crassula has small flowers with 4-5 distinct petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mesembryanthemum crystallinum native to California?
No. Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Mesembryanthemum crystallinum bloom?
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum blooms Mar-Oct.
Where in California does Mesembryanthemum crystallinum grow?
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum occurs in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Monterey, Ventura, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of < 100 m.
What plant family does Mesembryanthemum crystallinum belong to?
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is in the Aizoaceae family, genus Mesembryanthemum.
Is Mesembryanthemum crystallinum invasive in California?
Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.