Mesembryanthemum cordifolium formerly known as Aptenia cordifolia is a species of succulent plant in the Aizoaceae family. It is a creeping plant that forms a carpet of flat-growing perennial herbs in groups on the ground from a base.^[4]

This is a succulent, creeping, mat-forming perennial herb growing in flat clumps on the ground from a woody base. Plants only rise to about 10 centimetres (3.9 in) tall but prostrate stems reach up to about 60 centimetres (24 in) long. The stems are green and stalk-round. The fleshy, small leaves are opposite, ovate to cordate, about 2.5 centimetres (0.98 in) long and covered with fine papillae. Bright pink to purplish solitary flowers appear in the leaf axils, open during the day but close up at night and remain closed on cloudy days. These colored whorls are not petals, but non-functional modified stamens. Normal stamens are yellow. Flowers bloom primarily from spring to fall. The fruit is a capsule of little more than one centimeter in length with millimeter brown tuberose seeds. There is a variegated form.^[10]

Plant Care and Cultivation – Mesembryanthemum cordifolium

Mesembryanthemum cordifolium can be planted as a fast-growing, drought-resistant, groundcover. The plant needs a sunny spot and well drained soil. This plant is also ideal for covering walls, rockeries and areas bare of grass. Due to its quick growth, it is useful to prevent the growth of weeds in the field where it is planted. It can also survive without problems in a pot, where it is grown in hanging baskets so the long trailing branches can hang down with their leaves spaced out. Over-wintering should take place in a frost-free, sunny place at approximately 5 to 8 °C (41 to 46 °F). No serious insect or disease problems are known.

Propagation – How to propagate heart-leaf, baby sun rose, brakvygie

It easily reproduces from cuttings of the developed stems, roots, seeds of its capsular fruit, and even from its own buried leaves. Seeds must be sowed in summer and cuttings can be done in early spring in cooler climates. For cuttings, the plant can be divided and runners can be planted directly into the ground. The garden bed must be readied by digging over the soil. Compost and a slow-release fertilizer may be added to ensure healthy growth. With regard to risks, it is very resistant to drought, but with moist soil it grows rapidly. It cannot withstand frost, where it freezes below −5 °C (23 °F).

Names and Taxonomy of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium

Genus name means middle-embryo flower in reference to the position of the ovary in the flower. The specific epithet is derived from Latin for heart-shaped leaves.

The common names of the plant include baby sun rose,^[1] heart-leaf,^[2] red aptenia,^[1] or aptenia^[2] in English, as well as rooi brakvygie^[1] or brakvygie^[1][2] in Afrikaans, and ibohlololo,^[1] or uncolozi omncane^[1] in isiZulu in South Africa. It is known as heartleaf ice-plant in the USA[3] British names may be heart-leaved aptenia or heart-leaved midday flower because, like many other representatives of the Aizoaceae, it opens its flowers only during the sunshine of the day.

Mesembryanthemum cordifolium is an accepted name according to “The Plant List” ^[5] database, the primary source for the modern APG taxonomy of flowering plants. Formerly placed in the genus Aptenia and known as Aptenia cordifolia, it was included in Mesembryanthemum in 1997 when the whole genus Aptenia was reduced to synonymy.^[6]

Perhaps the most common plant seen under this name in gardens is actually Mesembryanthemum ‘Red Apple’, a hybrid with more vigorous growth, red flowers and bright green leaves, whose parents are Mesembryanthemum cordifolium and Mesembryanthemum haeckelianum. The true species of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium has magenta-purple flowers and more heart-shaped, mid-green, textured leaves.^[7][8]

Distribution of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium

Native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, this species has become widely known as an ornamental plant. Today it can be found growing in Australia,^[9] escaped gardens and naturalized in some parts of California, Oregon and Florida, in the Mediterranean region of the Europe.

Uses of heart-leaf, baby sun rose, brakvygie

The primary use of the plant is ornamental. The locals of the region of origin use the plant for its anti-inflammatory properties.^[11]

Plants Shop Africa can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.