Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

[Alchemica]

I'm interested in getting Mesembryanthemum crystallinum growing.

 

I've got some seeds to germinate and in the picture of that one, the plant is covered in glistening bubbles. Is that a defining feature of M. crystallinum?

 

From Wikipedia: "The plant is covered with large, glistening bladder cells or water vesicles..."

 

Today I spotted this plant sold as "Mesembryanthemum crystallinum "Rainbow" deep pink flowers"

This doesn't have the glistening bladder cells?

 

 

Could it still be M. crystallinum? Or wrong ID?

 

 In a study, the alkaloid content obtained from the leaves of M. crystallinum was found to be 4.2%, compared to Sceletium which had 1-1.5% http://dspace.univ-tlemcen.dz/bitstream/112/6936/1/REBIAHI-RAHMOUN-Malika.pdf

 

It's also got culinary use

[Alchemica]

For reference: From a reputable source, the seeds of  M. crystallinum gave seedlings with expected glistening bladder cells

 

[Alchemica]

Can anyone confirm that this wild find in fields of mallow is what I'm after?

 

 

 

Edible:

The crystal ice plant can be used steamed, stir-fried or blanched and is a great complement to seafood dishes.

 

Medicinal:

Aside from the above findings:
 

May be a "promising functional food for the prevention of diabetes" [1,2] and have anti-obesity effects [3]

It also has beneficial dermatological effects [4]

 

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31089648
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24374864
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26390196
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25592948

 

If so, happy to offer dried research material etc

[Micromegas]

first one looks like a different kind of mesembryanthemum which you get at nurseries, comes in purple, yellow and orange flowering varieties and though rampant garden plants (esp. purple variety) do no get into the bush much...

 

second one looks about right but i wouldn't want to be guaranteed on for consumption.

 

unlike the other m. the ice plant is a fairly widespread weed in coastal areas, just above tideline/foreshore dune area along many SA (and other Australian) beaches. also grows inland but very easy to find at the coast.

[Alchemica]

Cheers @Micromegas

Pretty confident it's the one that gets used as a green for culinary purposes, game enough to have a taste anyway after checking with a few places. Being not a coastal person, haven't spotted it myself but haven't been looking

 

Interestingly. the Garden of Eden states it contains "large quantities of oxalic acid" as sodium and potassium salts so it's odd it's finding such wide use in culinary circles without much mention of any risks.

Edited September 17, 2019 by Alchemica